Tri-Cities locations included in ranking of best places in WA to buy a home. Here’s where
Choosing a place to establish a new chapter in life is a serious commitment, with many factors to consider. Figuring out where you should work, live and recreate for an extended period of time is no easy feat, either.
Perhaps the biggest commitment one can make during such a transition period is purchasing a house.
Most people looking to buy a house right now will only be able to own one home, making the decision an important one. So, how do you decide where to make that big purchase?
Based on a myriad of factors commonly considered by home buyers, neighborhood information site Niche ranked the best areas to buy a home in 2024.
Here are Washington state’s rankings.
Best WA areas to buy a home
The top 22 areas in Washington were ranked, with Asotin claiming the number one spot. In order, the rest of the top 10 includes:
- West Richland
- Garrett
- Dayton
- West Pasco
- Town and Country (Spokane suburb)
- Medical Lake
- Raymond
- Colfax
- Village at Fisher’s Landing (Vancouver neighborhood)
The city of Richland ranked 20.
Cities and suburbs that were not ranked will still have a “grade” from Niche based on many of the same factors.
Methodology behind Niche hometown ranking
With varying weights, the site used 13 key metrics for the ranking, including:
- Home value to income ratio
- Public school grade
- Median monthly housing cost
- Cost of living grade
- Percentage of residents who have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Median home value
- Percent change in median home value
- Crime and safety grade (based on violent and property crime rates)
- Percentage of residents between ages 20 and 44 who moved to the area in the past year
- Home ownership percentage
- Median effective property tax
- Monthly housing cost to income ratio
- Percentage of residents between ages 25 and 55
West Richland received an overall grade of A-. The city received an A in weather and health and fitness, an A- for families and outdoor activities, and a B+ in public schools, housing, jobs and diversity. Its schools are ranked well individually, and 85% of residents own their property.