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Cost of homeownership in Thurston County, Washington

Real dollar cost of ownership, rent-vs-buy analysis, and flood risk, backed by Census ACS, FEMA, and FHFA data. Population: 294,272.

Median home value
$411,700
Median property tax
$3,802
Monthly owner cost
$2,071
with mortgage
Affordability (cost % of income)
19.1%

Total annual ownership cost

Breakdown of what owning a typical home in Thurston County costs each year.

  • Property taxes$3,802
  • Insurance estimate$1,500
  • Utilities / energy$1,416
  • Maintenance (1% of value)$4,117
  • Total$10,835/yr · $903/mo

Insurance and energy figures typically vary by property. Adjust in the calculators for a personalized estimate.

Total
$10,835
/ year

Rent vs. buy in Thurston County

Pre-filled with local median home value, median gross rent (Census ACS / HUD FMR), and current FRED rate.

Flood risk

Historical signal from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

MODERATE RISK
Total claims
42
Avg claim
$16,541
Active policies
120
Avg premium
$580
NFIP policy

Historical claims do not capture uninsured properties. A low score does not eliminate flood risk. FEMA flood-zone maps at msc.fema.gov list parcel-level designations.

Full flood-risk breakdown →

Home price trend in Washington

FHFA House Price Index, quarterly.

vs. Washington average
Home value above state average.
Property tax above state average.
Homeownership
67.3%

Share of units owner-occupied (Census ACS).

Median household income
$88,895

Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Housing cost burden in Thurston County

Share of households paying 30% or more of income on housing (HUD CHAS 2017-2021). HUD does not publish county-level CHAS rollups through the public API, so Washington state data is shown for local context alongside the US average.

Washington: 30%+ cost burdened
47.1%
1,864,895 households surveyed
Washington: severely burdened (50%+)
20.3%
Paying at least half of income on housing.
Owner vs renter burden
Owner 30%+: 35.6%
Renter 30%+: 30.9%
Renters typically carry a heavier cost burden than owners with a fixed-rate mortgage.

Affordability by income bracket

Monthly 30% housing budget at each income vs the median owner cost in Thurston County. Bars above the dashed line can absorb this county's typical ownership cost.

HUD area median income (4-person household) for Washington: $122,100. Income limits define 80% AMI at $97,700 and 50% AMI at $61,050.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Thurston County?

Based on Census ACS, typical total annual cost in Thurston County is around $10,835 ($903 per month), covering property tax, insurance estimate, utilities, and 1% maintenance. Your actual cost varies by home age, size, and location within the county.

What is the property tax in Thurston County?

Median annual property tax is $3,802 on the county's median home value of $411,700 (Census ACS).

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Thurston County?

Annual ownership cost is roughly 40% lower than annual rent at the county's median. Use the calculator below to model your specific situation.

What is the flood risk in Thurston County?

moderate historical flood-risk score from FEMA NFIP: 42 claims, average claim $16,541.

Data sources

Disclaimer. HomeRule is not a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, or financial advisor. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly by property, location, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.