Phoenix - AZ vs Seattle - WA: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Seattle - WA is roughly 63% more expensive than Phoenix - AZ in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Phoenix - AZ (38 days vs 27), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Phoenix vs Seattle: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $2,443 a month in principal and interest in Phoenix and $3,989 in Seattle, a gap of $1,546 a month.

Typical rent runs $1,720 in Phoenix and $2,250 in Seattle, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.4 times rent in Phoenix and 1.8 times rent in Seattle, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 21.4 years of rent in Phoenix and 26.7 in Seattle; the lower ratio in Phoenix means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved -4.5% in Phoenix and -2.9% in Seattle; over just the last three months the change was -0.4% in Phoenix and -0.3% in Seattle.

Homes sell for 97.9% of list price in Phoenix and 99.3% in Seattle, after 38 and 27 days on the market, with price cuts on 32% and 34% of listings. The signs are mixed: Phoenix has longer time on the market and sales further below list, while Seattle has more price cuts.

The number of homes for sale is up 2% on a year ago in Phoenix and up 20% on a year ago in Seattle.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.