3-digit ZIP regional index
Home appreciation in ZIP codes 981xxSeattle, WA area
FHFA HPI® data shows the regional home price index for ZIP codes beginning with 981 changed +0.3% over the year to Q2 2026, compared with +1.1% for Washington and +3.0% for the United States.
The region covers ZIP codes 98101–98199. Most of its 2010 population lived in King County (97%). Communities in the region include Shoreline, Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac, Bainbridge Island. This is a regional index, not a ZIP5, street, or individual-home estimate.
- 1-year change
- +0.3%
- 5-year change
- +20.2%
- Since Q1 1995
- +493%
- National rank (1 year)
- 807th
Year to Q2 2026
vs U.S. +41.3%
vs U.S. +292%
of 882 ZIP3 regions
ZIP3 981 vs Washington and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- ZIP3 981: 593.2
- Washington: 486.5
- Seattle-Bellevue-Kent, WA metro: 554.9
- United States: 391.6
Want a different starting year? Rebase this chart or compare with another ZIP3.
Appreciation by time window
| Window | ZIP3 981 | WA | U.S. | Gap vs WA | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +0.3% | +1.1% | +3.0% | −0.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
| 3 years | +5.9% | +8.2% | +12.9% | −2.3 pts | −6.9 pts |
| 5 years | +20.2% | +29.7% | +41.3% | −9.5 pts | −21.1 pts |
| 10 years | +75.0% | +105% | +93.3% | −29.8 pts | −18.3 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +493% | +387% | +292% | +106.7 pts | +201.6 pts |
If you bought in ZIP3 981 in…
Applying the regional index change from the same quarter of each year to Q2 2026 to an example $300,000 purchase price. Individual homes can differ widely from the regional average.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the regional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +486% | $1,758,553 |
| Q2 2000 | +281% | $1,141,790 |
| Q2 2005 | +155% | $765,236 |
| Q2 2010 | +142% | $725,401 |
| Q2 2015 | +99.3% | $597,783 |
| Q2 2020 | +33.7% | $401,136 |
| Q2 2021 | +20.2% | $360,591 |
| Q2 2023 | +5.9% | $317,810 |
| Q2 2025 | +0.3% | $300,908 |
How ZIP3 981 ranks
Over the past year ZIP3 981 ranks 807th of 882 3-digit ZIP regions nationally and 12th of 14 in Washington. Its one-year change is −2.7 pts versus the nation and −0.8 pts versus Washington. Rank 1 is the strongest appreciation.
| Window | National rank | Rank in Washington |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 807th of 882 | 12th of 14 |
| 3 years | 810th of 882 | 13th of 14 |
| 5 years | 863rd of 882 | 14th of 14 |
| 10 years | 672nd of 882 | 14th of 14 |
| Since Q1 1995 | 20th of 879 | 1st of 14 |
Boom, bust, and recovery in ZIP3 981
ZIP3 981's index peaked in Q4 2007, fell 22.3% to its low in Q2 2012, and regained its peak in Q2 2015, about 7.5 years after the top. Today it sits +102% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP3 981 | Q4 2007 | Q2 2012 | -22.3% | Q2 2015 (7.5 yrs) | +102% |
| WA | Q4 2007 | Q2 2012 | -25.2% | Q2 2016 (8.5 yrs) | +106% |
| Metro | Q4 2007 | Q2 2012 | -25.2% | Q3 2015 (7.8 yrs) | +104% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, ZIP3 981's index has changed +168% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | ZIP3 981 after inflation | WA after inflation | Metro after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | -3.4% | -2.7% | -3.4% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | -3.5% | -1.4% | -2.4% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | -3.1% | +4.6% | +0.5% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +25.9% | +47.3% | +34.0% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +168% | +120% | +151% | +76.8% |
Estimate appreciation for a home in ZIP3 981
Regional estimate
$525,106
- Estimated gain
- $225,106
- Index change
- +75.04%
- Start index
- 338.88
- End index
- 593.16
ZIP3 981 (Seattle, WA area), Q2 2016 to Q2 2026. Index type: Native 3-Digit ZIP index.
Nearby 3-digit ZIP regions
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 980 · Bellevue, WA area | WA | +0.1% | +31.0% | +439% |
| 983 · Bremerton, WA area | WA | +0.3% | +29.4% | +347% |
| 984 · Tacoma, WA area | WA | +3.1% | +27.9% | +422% |
| 982 · Everett, WA area | WA | +0.8% | +33.6% | +377% |
| 985 · Olympia, WA area | WA | +2.3% | +32.9% | +323% |
| 989 · Yakima, WA area | WA | +1.5% | +32.7% | +267% |
Recent quarterly index values
| Period | Index |
|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 593.16 |
| Q1 2026 | 592.23 |
| Q4 2025 | 591.09 |
| Q3 2025 | 588.02 |
| Q2 2025 | 591.37 |
| Q1 2025 | 588.72 |
| Q4 2024 | 576.41 |
| Q3 2024 | 579.65 |
| Q2 2024 | 575.10 |
| Q1 2024 | 569.69 |
| Q4 2023 | 551.62 |
| Q3 2023 | 559.33 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in ZIP codes starting with 981?
- Based on FHFA HPI® data for 3-digit ZIP region 981, the regional index changed +0.3% over the year to Q2 2026, +20.2% over five years, +75.0% over ten years, and +493% since Q1 1995.
- Is ZIP3 981 appreciating faster than Washington and the U.S.?
- Over the past year the region's index +0.3% compares with +1.1% for Washington and +3.0% for the U.S., a gap of −2.7 pts versus the nation. Over five years the gap versus the nation is −21.1 pts.
- Which ZIP codes are in 3-digit ZIP region 981?
- All ZIP codes that begin with 981. Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in this region run from 98101 to 98199 (39 areas). FHFA publishes one index for the whole 3-digit region, not for each 5-digit ZIP code.
- Can I use this to value my home?
- No. The FHFA HPI® is a broad regional index of average price movement. It is not an appraisal, tax assessment, or automated valuation of any individual property. Use it as general context alongside local sales and a professional opinion.