Real Estate Investing in Naselle, Washington (98638)

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

Pacific County • Population: 1,545 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 98638 (Naselle, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (40/100)

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
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Naselle, WA (98638)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $402,660
Avg Monthly Rent $1,107
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $57,072
% Renters 16.3%

Market Analysis: 98638 Naselle

ZIP 98638 inside Pacific County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $403K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Rent of $1,107/mo on a $403K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 98638 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 98638 among WA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Employment concentration in 98638 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 98638 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 Naselle:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,107/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$424K$363K$303K$242K$181K$121KSep 2009Mar 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98638 Compare?

Metric 98638 Naselle Washington
Home Value $402,660 $406,155 $591,536
5-Year CAGR 3.8% 3.8% 5.9%
Avg Rent $1,107 $1,112 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 98638? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98638 (Naselle, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 98638 (Naselle, WA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $402,660
Monthly Rent $1,107
Price-to-Rent 30.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 5.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
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
10.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98638

Population: 1,545

💰 Median Household Income
$57,072
This area
$57,072
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.0%
This area
20.0%
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
10.2%
This area
10.2%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.0%
Other/Mixed 9.7%
Hispanic/Latino 7.6%
Asian 1.9%
Black/African American 1.5%
👶 Under 18
22.5%
This area
22.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.2%
This area
20.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
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 98638

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
14.9:1 Avg Class Size
$22,837 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Naselle-Grays River Valley Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
128 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,837 Per Student
A Very Good
👥
190 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$22,837 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental occupancy rate in Naselle, WA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Naselle, WA. Rents at $1,107/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

Is housing expensive in Naselle, WA?

Expect median prices around $403K in Naselle, WA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.

Is Naselle, WA a smart market for rental property?

Yes - Naselle, WA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $403K home prices against $1,107/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Naselle, WA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Naselle, WA. The numbers - $403K homes against $1,107/mo rents - support that play.

Where do rents currently stand in Naselle, WA?

Expect rents around $1,107/mo per month in Naselle, WA. With home values at $403K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

You know 98638 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98638 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.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 98638 (Naselle)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 98638 (Naselle, WA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.