Bothell Home Prices: $1.06M, Down 2.9% — 3 ZIPs Analyzed (2026)

$1,059,927. That’s what a typical home in Bothell costs right now — and it’s actually less than last year. In a Seattle-area suburb where seven figures became the norm, prices have slipped 2.9% year over year. For buyers who’ve been waiting on the sidelines, the market is finally moving in their direction.

Quick answer: The average home price in Bothell, WA is $1,059,927 as of February 2026, down 2.9% year over year according to Zillow.

Current Home Prices in Bothell

Here’s where the Bothell market stands as of February 2026:

The median sits just under $1.06 million. A year ago, Bothell homes were worth about $31,000 more. The decline has been steady — not a sharp correction, but a slow grind lower that started after prices peaked in spring 2025.

The price range across Bothell’s three ZIP codes spans roughly $145,000 from lowest to highest. That gap gives buyers real options depending on budget. You can get into the market under $1 million in one neighborhood, or you’ll pay closer to $1.14 million in another.

Within the broader Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro, Bothell remains firmly in seven-figure territory. This is not an affordable market by national standards. But relative to where prices were heading a year ago, the correction provides some breathing room.

Bothell Home Prices by Neighborhood

Bothell spans three ZIP codes with meaningful price differences between them.

Most Expensive

98021 tops the list at $1,137,736 — about 7.3% above the city average. It also carries the highest rents at $2,602 per month, suggesting strong demand for the area.

Most Affordable

98012 comes in at $992,870, the only Bothell ZIP still under $1 million. Rents here run $2,340 per month. If you want into Bothell at the lowest price point, this is the neighborhood.

98011 falls in the middle at $1,049,174. Interestingly, it has the lowest average rent of any Bothell ZIP at $2,248, which could make it attractive for investors looking at rent-to-price ratios.

Rent vs Buy in Bothell

The math here is lopsided.

Average rent across Bothell’s three ZIP codes runs about $2,397 per month. A mortgage on a median-priced home tells a different story. Put 20% down on a $1,059,927 home and you’re financing roughly $848,000. At current mortgage rates near 7%, your monthly principal and interest payment alone comes to approximately $5,640.

Add property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, and the full monthly cost of ownership likely exceeds $6,500.

Renting costs less than half of what buying costs on a monthly basis. That $3,243 gap is real money — over $38,000 per year.

This doesn’t mean buying is wrong. Mortgage payments build equity. Home values could recover. But if your decision comes down to monthly cash flow, renting wins by a wide margin in Bothell right now.

The cheapest rent is in ZIP 98011 at $2,248 per month. The most expensive is 98021 at $2,602. Either way, you’re paying far less than a mortgage.

Population Growth and Migration

Bothell is growing faster than most of its neighbors.

The city’s population hit 51,770 in 2024, up 7.5% from 48,174 in 2020. That’s 3,596 new residents in four years.

Growth dipped slightly in 2021 before accelerating. From 2022 onward, Bothell has added over 1,000 residents per year.

How does that compare to other Washington cities?

Bothell’s 7.5% growth rate leads every city on this list. It’s growing nearly four times faster than Everett and outpacing Seattle by two full percentage points.

More people means more housing demand. That population pressure has helped keep Bothell home values above $1 million even as prices slip. The 2.9% price decline is modest given the broader rate environment — strong in-migration is likely cushioning the drop.

Bothell Housing Market Trends

The 12-month price trend shows a clear arc: prices peaked in spring 2025 and have drifted lower since.

From March to September 2025, values dropped by about $33,000. Then prices stabilized. The October-through-December period was essentially flat, hovering between $1,061,000 and $1,065,000.

January and February 2026 brought renewed softness. The latest reading of $1,059,927 is the second-lowest in this 12-month window, just above September’s $1,058,441.

The price floor across Bothell’s cheapest ZIP dipped below $993,000 in February. The ceiling in the most expensive ZIP fell below $1,138,000. Both ends of the market are softening in sync.

Is Bothell a Good Place to Buy in 2026?

The data paints a mixed picture.

On the positive side: prices are lower than a year ago, population growth is strong at 7.5%, and the market has shown stability in the $1,058,000-$1,065,000 range for six months. Bothell isn’t cratering — it’s plateauing.

On the cautious side: monthly costs are steep. A mortgage payment runs over $5,600 before taxes and insurance. Prices are still sliding, and the February data shows the plateau may be breaking to the downside. Renting is dramatically cheaper on a monthly basis.

For buyers with large down payments or dual-income households who plan to stay long-term, Bothell offers a stable market in a growing community within the Seattle metro. The 2.9% annual decline means you’re buying at a lower price than anyone who purchased in 2025.

For first-time buyers stretching to afford seven figures, the rent-to-own gap suggests waiting may be reasonable. The market isn’t rewarding urgency right now.

Bothell Housing Market Outlook for 2026-2027

The 12-month trend suggests continued softness through mid-2026.

From October through December 2025, prices held in a narrow band around $1,063,000. That stability broke in January and February, with values dipping back toward $1,060,000. If the current pace continues, prices could test the September 2025 low of $1,058,441 in the coming months.

The 3-month trend from December to February shows a decline of about $4,600 — modest, but consistent. Spring typically brings more buyer activity, which could slow the decline or temporarily reverse it.

Without a significant drop in mortgage rates, the $1,050,000-$1,065,000 range looks like a reasonable expectation for the next six months. A sustained break below $1,050,000 would signal a deeper correction, but nothing in the current data points to that.

Similar Markets in WA

If you’re considering Bothell, these Washington cities may also be on your radar:

• Buyers who want to stay close to Bothell’s metro area might look at Shoreline, another Seattle-area suburb.
• Everett sits just north and typically offers lower prices than Bothell.
• Seattle is the urban core of the metro, with its own pricing dynamics.
• For significantly lower costs, Spokane and Yakima offer eastern Washington alternatives well below seven figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home price in Bothell?

The average home price in Bothell is $1,059,927 as of February 2026. Prices range from $992,870 in ZIP code 98012 to $1,137,736 in ZIP code 98021. The citywide median sits just under $1.06 million.

Are home prices going up or down in Bothell?

Prices are going down. Bothell home values fell 2.9% year over year. The peak was $1,091,160 in March 2025, and values have declined about $31,000 since then. The drop has been gradual — averaging roughly $2,600 per month.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bothell?

Renting is much cheaper. Average rent across Bothell is about $2,397 per month. A mortgage on a median-priced home runs approximately $5,640 per month in principal and interest alone. That’s a gap of over $3,200 per month, or about $38,000 per year.

What is the most affordable neighborhood in Bothell?

ZIP code 98012 is the most affordable at $992,870 — the only Bothell ZIP still below $1 million. Average rent there is $2,340 per month, also the second-lowest in the city. It’s about $67,000 below the citywide median.

Methodology

Home values are based on the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), a smoothed measure of typical home values in the 35th to 65th percentile range. Rent estimates use the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Population figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (2020-2024 vintage). All datasets are publicly available. Housing data updated 2026-02-28.