Cowlitz County, Washington Housing Market
In Cowlitz County, Washington, the median home value is $397,500, with a median monthly rent of $1,206. This places Cowlitz County at #290 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #22 within Washington.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,337
- Establishments: 2,646
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 298
- Multi-family: 10
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 45,614 (avg $82,148)
- Outflow: 43,136 (avg $82,921)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 5 active ZIP codes in Cowlitz County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 98645 | 296.6 | -7.05% | 2025 |
| 2 | 98625 | 284.6 | +7.64% | 2025 |
| 3 | 98611 | 308.5 | +6.50% | 2025 |
| 4 | 98632 | 301.9 | +0.94% | 2025 |
| 5 | 98626 | 314.3 | +5.09% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
💰 Ready to Finance a Purchase?
See the 2026 FHA and conforming loan limits for Cowlitz County, plus monthly payment estimates at today's mortgage rates.
View Mortgage Guide for Cowlitz County →How Cowlitz County Compares
| Metric | Cowlitz County | Washington Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $397,500 | $436,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,206 | $1,251 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 68.0% | 71.3% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 27.5 | 29.2 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Cowlitz County is 8.9% below the Washington state average and 74.6% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,206/month is 3.6% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 27.5, Cowlitz County is a strongly rent-favored market. Home prices are high relative to rents, meaning renting is typically far cheaper than owning in the near term.
Cowlitz County has an owner-occupancy rate of 68.0%, compared to 71.3% in Washington and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wahkiakum County | Washington | $396,800 | $853 |
| Waukesha County | Wisconsin | $398,200 | $1,356 |
| Ocean County | New Jersey | $398,400 | $1,755 |
| Anchorage Municipality | Alaska | $395,900 | $1,489 |
| Manassas Park city | Virginia | $395,900 | $2,146 |
Other Counties in Washington
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wahkiakum County | $396,800 | $853 | 83.2% |
| Benton County | $407,800 | $1,306 | 67.6% |
| Walla Walla County | $408,900 | $1,218 | 65.0% |
| Lewis County | $385,800 | $1,097 | 75.8% |
| Spokane County | $410,700 | $1,283 | 64.5% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).