Real Estate Investing in Aberdeen, Washington (98520)

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

Grays Harbor County • Population: 25,072 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98520 (Aberdeen, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Aberdeen, WA (98520)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $280,720
Avg Monthly Rent $1,436
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,600
% Renters 36.8%

Market Analysis: 98520 Aberdeen

The 98520 ZIP covers a section of Aberdeen that demands careful diligence. Prices near $281K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $1,436/mo on a $281K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 98520 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 98520's metrics run below Grays Harbor County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A notable renter share of 37% in 98520 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 98520 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Aberdeen:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,436/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
Aberdeen, WA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
77 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.7%
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 Aberdeen, WA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 98520

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$87,379/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $230,143 $1,210 3.8% +9.6% $115,072
3BR $312,038 $1,680 3.9% +8.3% $104,013
4BR $349,517 $1,860 3.8% +8.1% $87,379

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$307K$263K$219K$175K$131K$87KJan 2009Oct 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,458$1,394$1,329$1,264$1,200$1,135Feb 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98520 Compare?

Metric 98520 Aberdeen Aberdeen, WA Washington
Home Value $280,720 $280,720 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 1.7% 1.7% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $1,436 $1,436 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.0% 4.0% - -
💡 Why Invest in 98520? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 37% 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 98520 (Aberdeen, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.7%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Aberdeen, WA metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
47%
Days Pending
2/2
77 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $280,720
Monthly Rent $1,436
Price-to-Rent 16.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.1%
Cap Rate 4.0%
5-Year IRR 5.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR -0.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +12.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.0%). 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
9.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.7%
Flat
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98520

Population: 25,072

💰 Median Household Income
$56,600
This area
$56,600
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.8%
This area
36.8%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.2%
This area
15.2%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.3 years
This area
39.3 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 76.8%
Other/Mixed 19.1%
Hispanic/Latino 10.7%
Black/African American 3.0%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
22.4%
This area
22.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.8%
This area
16.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
11.0%
This area
11.0%
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 98520

B Avg School Grade
14 Schools
21.4:1 Avg Class Size
$19,837 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent
👥
181 Students
👨‍🏫
10.7:1 Class Size
💰
$29,768 Per Student
A+ Excellent

A J West Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
301 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
A Very Good

Robert Gray Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
A Very Good

Stevens Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
B+ Above Average

McDermoth Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
299 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Central Park Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
126 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Miller Junior High

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
674 Students
👨‍🏫
19.8:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Grays Harbor Juvenile Detention

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
13 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
B+ Above Average

J M Weatherwax High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
935 Students
👨‍🏫
19.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
B Good

Hopkins Elementary

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
103 Students
👨‍🏫
20.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
C+ Average
👥
19 Students
💰
$19,073 Per Student
C Below Average

Harbor Junior/Senior High School

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
119 Students
👨‍🏫
31.1:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
C Below Average

Grays Harbor Academy

📚 K – 12 K-12
👥
49 Students
👨‍🏫
28.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 Per Student
D Needs Improvement

Harbor Open Doors

📚 10 – 12 High School
👥
50 Students
👨‍🏫
60.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,073 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

1 Nearby 718 Off-Campus Students
C
Grays Harbor College
1,663 students · 2.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 718 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to find good tenants in Aberdeen, WA?

Tenant demand in Aberdeen, WA is solid. The local workforce $1,436/mo rents across most rental classes.

What is the investability score for Aberdeen, WA?

Aberdeen, WA shows an investability rating of 2.0/5, with median home values near $281K and average rents around $1,436/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

What approach is best for Aberdeen, WA real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Aberdeen, WA. The numbers - $281K homes against $1,436/mo rents - support that play.

Are landlord laws favorable in Aberdeen, WA?

Aberdeen, WA operates under WA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How high is vacancy risk in Aberdeen, WA?

Vacancy risk in Aberdeen, WA is elevated. That supports measured cash flow for typical rental holds.

You know 98520 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98520 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 98520 ranks in Aberdeen, WA

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