Real Estate Investing in Snohomish, Washington (98290)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Snohomish County • Population: 39,732 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98290 (Snohomish, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (50/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 31.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Snohomish, WA (98290)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $837,253
Avg Monthly Rent $2,206
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $123,819
% Renters 17.9%

Market Analysis: 98290 Snohomish

Investors eyeing 98290 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $837K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Meanwhile, the numbers look inviting — $837K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 98290 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Snohomish have seen price recovery that 98290 has not matched. Snohomish County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 98290 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

New investors are better served looking at Snohomish's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 98290. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Snohomish:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.8× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,206/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
45 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.2%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 98290

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
2.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$215,624/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $568,736 $1,850 2.3% +7.5% $568,736
2BR $616,157 $2,160 2.5% +7.2% $308,079
3BR $774,665 $2,850 2.6% +7.6% $258,222
4BR $990,465 $3,320 2.4% +8.6% $247,616
5BR $1,078,121 +8.4% $215,624

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$907K$769K$630K$492K$353K$215KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,422$2,338$2,254$2,169$2,085$2,000Jun 2023Jan 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98290 Compare?

Metric 98290 Snohomish Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Washington
Home Value $837,253 $937,508 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 3.9% 4.0% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $2,206 $2,828 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 98290? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98290 (Snohomish, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Snohomish County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

inTrust Property Management offers HOA Management Services in King & Snohomish Counties. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Haven Property Management is a full-service residential management company based in Federal Way, WA, covering the Greater Puget Sound area. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
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Navigate Community Management provides community management services. summary from their website

HOA
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $837,253
Monthly Rent $2,206
Price-to-Rent 31.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.2%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 5.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -7.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98290

Population: 39,732

💰 Median Household Income
$123,819
This area
$123,819
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.9%
This area
17.9%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
35.4%
This area
35.4%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.7 years
This area
42.7 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.7%
Other/Mixed 11.0%
Hispanic/Latino 5.6%
Asian 2.6%
Black/African American 0.6%
👶 Under 18
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.9%
This area
16.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 98290

B Avg School Grade
13 Schools
22.1:1 Avg Class Size
$18,579 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Central Emerson Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
472 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
A Very Good

Cascade View Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
375 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
A Very Good

Chain Lake Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
428 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,450 Per Student
A Very Good

Riverview Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
468 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Centennial Middle School

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
735 Students
👨‍🏫
21.9:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Dutch Hill Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
685 Students
👨‍🏫
18.5:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Machias Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
622 Students
👨‍🏫
18.8:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
C+ Average

Snohomish High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,525 Students
👨‍🏫
22.2:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
C+ Average

Parent Partnership

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
103 Students
👨‍🏫
25.1:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
C+ Average

Snohomish Center

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
16 Students
💰
$18,590 Per Student
C Below Average

High School Re Entry

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
24 Students
💰
$18,590 Per Student
C Below Average

AIM High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
161 Students
👨‍🏫
26.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
C Below Average

Central Primary Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
91 Students
👨‍🏫
45.5:1 Class Size
💰
$18,590 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

2 Nearby 3,478 Off-Campus Students
C+
Everett Community College
6,211 students · 10.9 mi
C
Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett
1,019 students · 11.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,478 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Snohomish, WA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Snohomish, WA. The numbers - $837K homes against $2,206/mo rents - support that play.

How deep is the rental pool in Snohomish, WA?

Snohomish, WA offers a steady renter base at the $2,206/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Is Snohomish in WA worth investing in?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Snohomish, WA reflects its $837K prices and $2,206/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within WA.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Snohomish, WA?

Snohomish, WA offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $2,206/mo rent level.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Snohomish, WA?

Snohomish, WA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $2,206/mo.

You know 98290 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 98290 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

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