Real Estate Investing in Sumner, Washington (98390)

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

Pierce County • Population: 11,497 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98390 (Sumner, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

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
1 flag
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Sumner, WA (98390)?

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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 $607,886
Avg Monthly Rent $2,278
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $85,099
% Renters 47.8%

Market Analysis: 98390 Sumner

Looking more closely, ZIP 98390 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $608K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 98390 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 98390 among WA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 98390 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Sumner averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 98390, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Sumner:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,278/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
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 98390

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$155,745/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $452,172 $2,190 3.5% +4.4% $226,086
3BR $577,467 $3,040 3.8% +6.1% $192,489
4BR $699,393 $3,450 3.6% +6.3% $174,848
5BR $778,724 +6.8% $155,745

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$649K$554K$459K$365K$270K$175KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,322$2,193$2,064$1,935$1,806$1,677Jun 2021Jan 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98390 Compare?

Metric 98390 Sumner Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Washington
Home Value $607,886 $607,886 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 2.9% 2.9% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $2,278 $2,278 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 98390? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 48% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98390 (Sumner, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Pierce County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Harborside Property Management LLC offers commercial and residential property manager services in Tacoma & Gig Harbor, including single-family and multi-family homes. summary from their website

CommercialSingle-familySmall multifamily
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
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

HOA Community Solutions provides management services for homeowner associations. 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
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $607,886
Monthly Rent $2,278
Price-to-Rent 22.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 5.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +7.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
2.4%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98390

Population: 11,497

💰 Median Household Income
$85,099
This area
$85,099
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
47.8%
This area
47.8%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.1%
This area
24.1%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.2 years
This area
37.2 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.0%
Other/Mixed 17.1%
Hispanic/Latino 8.4%
Asian 1.1%
Black/African American 0.8%
👶 Under 18
21.8%
This area
21.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.1%
This area
15.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
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 98390

B+ Avg School Grade
10 Schools
19.0:1 Avg Class Size
$19,617 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Bonney Lake Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
424 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
A Very Good

Crestwood Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
417 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
A Very Good

Liberty Ridge Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
508 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Daffodil Valley Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
521 Students
👨‍🏫
20.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Emerald Hills Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
548 Students
👨‍🏫
18.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Maple Lawn Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
603 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Sumner Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
697 Students
👨‍🏫
19.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Mountain View Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
870 Students
👨‍🏫
20.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
C+ Average

Sumner High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,866 Students
👨‍🏫
23.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,617 Per Student
C+ Average

Sumner Special Services

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
52 Students
💰
$19,617 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

8 Nearby 8,061 Off-Campus Students
C+
Green River College
7,361 students · 7.5 mi
C
KaiStar
151 students · 8.3 mi
D
UEI College-Tacoma
557 students · 8.6 mi
B
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
4,777 students · 10.1 mi
D
Northwest College of Art & Design
150 students · 10.2 mi
C
Bates Technical College
3,817 students · 10.6 mi
C+
Pacific Lutheran University
2,737 students · 11.0 mi
C
Summit Salon Academy
148 students · 11.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 8,061 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Sumner, WA?

Rents in Sumner, WA run near $2,278/mo. Compared with median home prices of $608K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is housing expensive in Sumner, WA?

Sumner, WA home values average about $608K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $2,278/mo in monthly income.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Sumner, WA?

Rental vacancy in Sumner, WA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Sumner, WA?

For rental operators, Sumner, WA rates as tenant-protective. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What kind of market is Sumner, WA for investors?

Investors tracking Sumner, WA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $608K median home values and $2,278/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

You know 98390 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98390 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 98390 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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