Is Island County, WA good for real estate investing?

Island County has an investment score of 39/100, rated as "Avoid". The county ranks #963 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Island?

The rent-to-price ratio in Island County is 3.88% annually, which ranks in the 4th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Island?

The median home price in Island County is $623,534. This ranks #955 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Island?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Island County would generate negative cash flow of $1,958/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Island County

WashingtonPopulation: 86,510

/100

Avoid

#963 of 1,000 counties

#35 in Washington (39 counties)

Market Snapshot

$623,534

Median Home Price

128% above national median

$2,015/mo

Median Rent

35% above national median

3.88%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 96% nationally

-$1,958

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$623,534

Down Payment (20%)$124,707

Loan Amount$498,827

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,015

Monthly P&I-$3,269

Est. Expenses (35%)-$705

Net Cash Flow-$1,958/mo

2.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-16.4%

Cash-on-Cash Return

3.88%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.5% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

39/100

Cash Flow(30%)

28/100

Based on 3.88% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

51/100

Based on 0.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

25/100

Price-to-income ratio of 7.5x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (3.88%)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,958/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 2.5% < mortgage rate 6.9%)
-High price-to-income ratio makes financing challenging

Economic Indicators

Population

86,510

Median Income

$82,850

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

7.5x

Less affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
JeffersonWA	41	$593,831	$2,164	4.37%	Avoid	View
KlickitatWA	41	$455,628	$1,681	4.43%	Avoid	View
ChelanWA	40	$526,792	$1,747	3.98%	Avoid	View
WhatcomWA	40	$600,648	$2,018	4.03%	Avoid	View
CurrentIslandWA	39	$623,534	$2,015	3.88%	Avoid
KittitasWA	37	$483,806	$1,489	3.69%	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

AvoidIsland may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Island County in Washington scores 39/100, ranking #963 of 1,000 US counties (top 96%). The 3.88% rent-to-price ratio may require creative strategies or below-market purchases for positive cash flow. Current market conditions make traditional buy-and-hold investing challenging. Consider house hacking, value-add strategies, or all-cash purchases.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,958/mo

Cap Rate

2.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-16.4%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Island?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$623,534

Down Payment (20%)$124,707

Loan Amount$498,827

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$2,015

Monthly P&I-$3,269

Est. Expenses (35%)-$705

Net Cash Flow-$1,958/mo

2.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-16.4%

Cash-on-Cash Return

3.88%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.5% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

39/100

Cash Flow(30%)

28/100

Based on 3.88% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

51/100

Based on 0.1% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

25/100

Price-to-income ratio of 7.5x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

JeffersonWA

$593,831

$2,164

4.37%

Avoid

View

KlickitatWA

$455,628

$1,681

4.43%

Avoid

View

ChelanWA

$526,792

$1,747

3.98%

Avoid

View

WhatcomWA

$600,648

$2,018

4.03%

Avoid

View

CurrentIslandWA

$623,534

$2,015

3.88%

Avoid

KittitasWA

$483,806

$1,489

3.69%

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

AvoidIsland may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,958/mo

Cap Rate

2.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-16.4%