The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 98288 sells for about $472,043, or $524 per square foot.
Prices are down 1.7% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 123 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,417 a month.
ZIP 98288 — Skykomish
The Skykomish housing market is currently experiencing significant buyer leverage, with high days on market and a substantial valuation gap compared to assessed values. High payment burdens and limited local economic growth are driving a cooling trend, with experts suggesting significant price corrections may be necessary for affordability.
This ZIP is best suited for outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers seeking a mountain lifestyle, and second-home buyers, rather than traditional commuters or urban-focused investors.
Median prices moved down 1.7% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 123 days on market with 110.3 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
28% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 90% of asking — demand is cooling.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.2% · poverty 11.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 9.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 98288, King County WA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
The area is served by the Skykomish School District, which maintains a small, rural educational environment.
The region faces significant wildfire and winter storm risks due to its location in the Cascade mountain range, impacting insurance availability and premiums.
Economic momentum is limited by the area's remote, mountainous geography, with development primarily focused on recreational and residential use rather than large-scale commercial expansion.
Property taxes are assessed by King County based on local millage rates, which include levies for the Skykomish School District and regional fire/emergency services.
Commuting to the Seattle employment core is a long-distance drive, typically exceeding 90 minutes via US Highway 2, with no direct public transit options.
The area is a hub for outdoor recreation, featuring immediate access to the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, hiking trails, and proximity to the Stevens Pass ski area.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and high vacancy pressure, with a significant portion of properties utilized for short-term vacation rentals.
The local economy is primarily driven by tourism, outdoor recreation, and small-scale service businesses catering to seasonal visitors.
Transportation is heavily reliant on US Highway 2, which serves as the primary corridor for both local access and regional connectivity.
Development is constrained by environmental regulations and the mountainous terrain, with no major large-scale infrastructure projects currently approved.
King County Department of Assessments conducts annual property valuations based on market sales data and physical inspections.
Parcels are subject to King County property tax levies, including the Skykomish School District and local fire protection districts.
Property insurance premiums are elevated due to high wildfire risk and the remote nature of the geography.
Data retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Scenic Hot Springs4.17.9 mi
- Skyline Lake Trail4.711.3 mi
- Great Northern & Cascade Railway4.86.5 mi
- Iron Goat/Martin Creek Trailhead4.87.1 mi
- Great Northern & Cascade Railway4.86.5 mi
- Iron Goat Trailhead4.87.2 mi
- Skyline Lake Trail4.711.3 mi
- Deception Creek Trailhead4.86.5 mi
- Iron Goat/Martin Creek Trailhead4.87.1 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Extensive public lands for hiking, camping, and outdoor exploration.
Major regional destination for winter sports located nearby.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.