Is Buying Still Affordable in Snohomish County in 2025?
Affordability has become one of the hottest topics in real estate over the past few years—and for good reason. With interest rates higher than what we saw during the COVID market, and home prices continuing to appreciate, many families are asking the same question:
“Can I actually afford to buy a home in Snohomish County right now?”
We’ve helped over 1,500 families across the Pacific Northwest navigate this exact decision, and in this post we’re breaking down the reality of buying vs. renting, the financial factors you should consider, and what creative solutions are helping buyers succeed in today’s market.
The Interest Rate Reality Check
Let’s be honest: rates aren’t going back to 2–3% anytime soon. During 2020 and 2021, we saw historically low interest rates that made buying a home feel more affordable. But holding out for those rates to return isn’t realistic. Even if rates do dip into the 5% range, history shows us that when rates go down, prices go up—which means waiting could actually cost you more.
Right now, we’re dealing with the combination of higher interest rates and the price appreciation from the last five years. That’s creating a new affordability challenge for buyers in 2025.
Renting vs. Buying: The Stability Factor
One of the biggest benefits of homeownership isn’t just financial—it’s stability.
Renting comes with volatility. Rents can rise every year, landlords can make changes, and families often find themselves moving more than they’d like.
Owning locks in your payment and creates predictability in your budget and lifestyle.
This is especially important for families with kids, since moving between school districts can disrupt stability for children.
On top of stability, the wealth-building aspect of owning is undeniable. According to national data, the average net worth of a homeowner is 43 times higher than that of a renter. That difference is life-changing.
What Affordability Looks Like in Snohomish County
Let’s put some numbers to it.
A $625,000 home in our market (well below the Snohomish County average of ~$900,000) with 10% down would cost around $4,400/month once you factor in principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.
To make this work, you’d need roughly $108,000 in annual household income to keep your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio in a healthy range.
If you used a 0% down loan program—a popular option for first-time buyers—the monthly payment jumps to just over $5,000, which would require closer to $122,000 household income.
For many families, this means two income earners are needed to comfortably afford today’s market.
Location Matters
In Snohomish County, location makes a huge difference in affordability.
Closer to Seattle or Bellevue, average home prices can exceed $1 million.
More affordable options are available in places like Marysville, Arlington, Stanwood, Granite Falls, and Sultan.
Areas like Everett, Lake Stevens, and Monroe are “mini epicenters” where average prices run higher but still below King County levels.
It’s the classic “drive a little, save a lot” reality—moving further from the city often stretches your housing dollars significantly.
Creative Solutions for Buyers
If the numbers feel overwhelming, know that there are strategies to make buying possible:
Multi-Generational Living
Many families are pooling resources with parents or adult children. Sharing a home can reduce the monthly burden and increase buying power.2-1 Buydowns
A loan program that temporarily lowers your interest rate by 2% in the first year and 1% in the second. For example, if rates are 6.4%, you’d pay 4.4% in year one and 5.4% in year two, before leveling out. The best part? In many cases, we negotiate to have sellers cover the cost of this program.
These solutions give buyers more breathing room while waiting for potential refinancing opportunities in the future.
The Bottom Line
Buying a home in Snohomish County in 2025 may feel like a stretch, but it’s far from impossible. The key is understanding your numbers—your income, your DTI, and your long-term goals.
If you wait for rates to fall, you’ll likely face higher home prices and more competition. Buying now with the right strategy could actually save you money in the long run.
At the end of the day, homeownership is about more than affordability—it’s about stability, predictability, and building long-term wealth.
We’ve helped over 1,500 families in the Pacific Northwest achieve their homeownership dreams, and we’d love to help you, too.