Real Estate Investing in Zillah, Washington (98953)

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

Yakima County • Population: 6,815 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 98953 (Zillah, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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.

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

What’s happening in Zillah, WA (98953)?

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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 $389,351
Avg Monthly Rent $1,359
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $79,922
% Renters 22.4%

Market Analysis: 98953 Zillah

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Zillah's 98953 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $389K pricing implies.

From a cash-flow lens, the numbers look inviting — $389K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 98953 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Nearby ZIPs in Zillah have seen price recovery that 98953 has not matched. Yakima County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The 98953 ZIP's population of 6,815 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 98953 is an operator game, not a passive one. From a cash-flow lens, entry prices of $389K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Zillah:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,359/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
Yakima, WA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
66 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.0%
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 Yakima, WA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 98953

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$117,607/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $280,839 $1,510 3.9% +6.2% $140,420
3BR $384,997 $2,100 3.9% +6.2% $128,332
4BR $470,429 $2,300 3.5% +7.4% $117,607

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$412K$352K$293K$234K$175K$115KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 98953 Compare?

Metric 98953 Zillah Yakima, WA Washington
Home Value $389,351 $389,351 N/A $591,536
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 3.7% N/A 5.9%
Avg Rent $1,359 $1,359 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 98953? 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 98953 (Zillah, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Yakima, WA metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
46%
Days Pending
2/2
66 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $389,351
Monthly Rent $1,359
Price-to-Rent 23.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 6.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
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: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
1.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 98953

Population: 6,815

💰 Median Household Income
$79,922
This area
$79,922
State
$83,286
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
29.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-13.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.5%
This area
22.5%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.0 years
This area
35.0 years
State
10.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.9%
This area
1.9%
State
14.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.8%
Other/Mixed 34.9%
Hispanic/Latino 25.7%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
30.8%
This area
30.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.4%
This area
16.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.2%
This area
7.2%
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 98953

B+ Avg School Grade
4 Schools
18.4:1 Avg Class Size
$16,199 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Hilton Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
317 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Zillah Intermediate School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
263 Students
👨‍🏫
17.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B Good

Zillah High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
450 Students
👨‍🏫
22.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 Per Student
B Good

Zillah Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
312 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$16,199 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
C
Heritage University
835 students · 9.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical renter like in Zillah, WA?

Tenant demand in Zillah, WA is solid. The local workforce $1,359/mo rents across most rental classes.

Is WA a landlord-friendly state?

WA law tenant-protective for landlords, and Zillah inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is housing expensive in Zillah, WA?

Typical homes in Zillah, WA go for around $389K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% measured price movement.

Does house hacking make sense in Zillah, WA?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Zillah, WA reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

What approach is best for Zillah, WA real estate?

Zillah, WA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($389K prices, $1,359/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 98953 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98953 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 98953 ranks in Yakima, WA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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