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Buying a home in University Place, Washington

The typical owner-occupied home in University Place is worth about $624,800, 11% above the Washington median of $564,600 and 88% above the national median of $332,700. Owners pay a median $6,162 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of their home's value, higher than the Washington rate of 0.81%. The median household earns $99,031 a year, so the median home costs 6.3 times the median income (5.8 times for Washington). 57% of occupied homes here are lived in by their owners, and 65% of those owners still have a mortgage.

University Place at a glance

University Place Washington U.S.
Median home value $624,800 $564,600 $332,700
Median property tax paid per year $6,162 $4,556 $3,119
Property tax as a share of value 0.99% 0.81% 0.94%
Median household income $99,031 $98,141 $80,734
Homes lived in by their owners 57% 64% 65%
Owner homes with a mortgage 65% 66% 61%
Median monthly costs, owners with a mortgage $2,706 $2,445 $1,963
Those costs as a share of the owners' income 23.2% 22.2% 21.0%
Median rent $1,762 $1,760 $1,413
Rent as a share of renters' income 34.2% 30.0% 30.6%
Median year homes were built 1981 1985 1980
Vacant homes 3.8% 7.3% 10.1%
Population 34,911 7,816,116 334,922,499

What a typical home costs per month in University Place

At this week's average 30-year rate of 7.11%, buying the median University Place home of $624,800 with 20% down costs about $4,138 a month, including property taxes and insurance. With an FHA loan and 3.5% down, it's about $5,179, because the loan is bigger and FHA adds mortgage insurance.

Lenders usually want housing costs under about 28% of gross income, which means an income of roughly $177,354 for the 20%-down payment. That payment is 50% of the median University Place household income of $99,031; at that income and 20% down, the 28% guideline points to a home of about $349,000.

The median rent here is $1,762 a month, so owning the median home costs about $2,376 a month more than renting, before you count the equity you build and any tax benefits.

20% down, 30-year conventional loan
Down payment$124,960
Loan amount$499,840
Principal and interest$3,362
Property taxes (0.99% a year)$515
Homeowners insurance (our estimate, 0.5% a year)$260
PMI$0
Total per month$4,138

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3.5% down, 30-year FHA loan
Down payment$21,868
Loan amount$613,483
Principal and interest$4,127
Property taxes (0.99% a year)$515
Homeowners insurance (our estimate, 0.5% a year)$260
FHA mortgage insurance$276
Total per month$5,179

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Questions about home buying in University Place

What is the median home value in University Place?

About $624,800 for owner-occupied homes, according to the Census Bureau's 2020–2024 American Community Survey.

How much are property taxes in University Place?

Homeowners pay a median $6,162 a year, which is about 0.99% of the median home value. Your bill depends on your home's assessed value and local rates.

What income do you need to buy a home in University Place?

For the median home with 20% down at 7.11%, the payment is about $4,138 a month. Keeping that under 28% of gross income takes about $177,354 a year.

More about University Place

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, week of November 12, 2026. Estimates for small places have wide margins of error. About our data