Despite a slight cooling in the local and statewide housing market, homes across Washington are still selling significantly faster than the national average. This trend highlights a divided U.S. housing landscape, where buyers’ negotiating power varies greatly depending on their location.
In Washington state, homes that went under contract in October stayed on the market for a median of just 36 days, compared to 51 days nationwide, according to data from Redfin. While this indicates a competitive market, homes in and around Seattle are lingering longer on the market than they did a year ago. Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow, noted that the region still faces a “massive housing shortage,” which contributes to the high costs of living. “That’s why it’s such an expensive market,” he explained.
Although the pain for local homebuyers may be lessening in 2026, it remains a significant challenge. Washington’s appeal continues to draw new residents, ranking among the top 10 states for inbound moves in 2025, as analyzed by Atlas Van Lines. This data underscores the state’s enduring attractiveness despite its high cost of living, limited housing supply, and a softening job market.
Interestingly, migration accounted for 78% of Washington’s population growth from 2024 to 2025, even as overall growth rates slowed, according to the state Office of Financial Management. In fact, Washington secured the seventh spot among states with the highest share of incoming moves, trailing behind rapidly growing states like Arkansas, Idaho, and North Carolina.
Conversely, Louisiana has experienced the highest outbound moving rates for two consecutive years, followed by West Virginia and Wyoming. Notably, departures from high-cost states such as California, Illinois, and New York have also eased, although they still outnumber arrivals.
The national mobility slowdown has been historic, driven largely by high housing costs and mortgage rates. A recent analysis by Realtor.com revealed that moving now could lead to a staggering 73% increase in median monthly payments. For those who do choose to relocate, factors such as lower housing prices, better job opportunities, climate resilience, and proximity to family are significant motivators.
Moreover, movers are increasingly likely to be affluent and well-educated, as noted by The Atlantic’s Yoni Appelbaum. As the year progresses, more migration data is expected, with another movers study from United Van Lines scheduled for release at the start of the year. Washington’s housing market, though facing challenges, remains a focal point in the ongoing conversation about national migration trends and economic conditions.
