Condos vs. Houses in Seattle: Why the Gap Keeps Growing (June 2026 Data)

Are condos or houses a better deal in Seattle right now?

In June 2026, Seattle condos were sitting on the market for a median of 25 days -more than three times longer than the 7-day median for single-family houses -with condo inventory running at 6.8 months of supply versus 2.9 months for houses. This isn’t a new development; it’s a trend that’s been building for well over a year, and it means condo buyers have real negotiating leverage while condo sellers need to price sharply.

If you’d rather watch than read, here’s Emily’s take on navigating the Seattle condo market:

If you’ve been watching Seattle real estate headlines, you’ve probably seen the phrase “the condo market has flipped.” That’s not quite right. This divergence between condos and single-family homes has been building for well over a year -June’s data just confirms it’s still going, and if anything, the gap is getting wider.

Two markets, moving at two different speeds

Seattle isn’t one housing market right now -it’s several markets moving at different speeds, and the clearest split is between condos and houses. Single-family homes in Seattle are still selling briskly, typically in a week to two weeks when priced correctly. Condos are a different story entirely.

In June, Seattle condo median sale price came in just under $495,000, down 3.6% year over year. Bellevue condos fell 4.5%, King County condos overall fell almost 5%, and Snohomish County condos dropped a steep 16.3% -the largest condo price decline anywhere in the county-level data. Meanwhile, months of supply for condos in Seattle and Bellevue both sit near 6.8 to 6.9 months -more than double what single-family homes in those same cities are carrying. That’s a textbook buyer’s market by any standard measure.

Have questions about whether a condo or a house makes more sense for your situation in today’s market? Text HOME to 206-245-8813 and Emily will reach out to help.

The price-per-square-foot surprise

Here’s the number that tends to surprise people comparing condos vs. houses in Seattle: on a price-per-square-foot basis, the gap is much narrower than the headline prices suggest. Seattle condos run about $528 per square foot; Seattle houses run about $555. That’s a difference of only $27 -condos are actually an efficient use of your housing dollar on a square-footage basis, even though total condo prices sit at roughly half of single-family prices because of the size difference.

For downsizers, first-time buyers priced out of the single-family market, or investors building a rental portfolio, that math is worth a serious look. According to National Association of REALTORS® research, buyer demand for condos nationally tends to track affordability pressure in the single-family market -and Seattle is a clear example of that pattern playing out locally.

Why the gap has been building, not flipping

It’s tempting to describe a market shift like this as sudden, but the condo-versus-house divergence in Seattle has been a slow build. Financing plays a role -condo loans often carry more scrutiny around HOA reserves and owner-occupancy ratios than a typical single-family mortgage, which narrows the buyer pool. New condo supply in some pockets of King County has also been catching up to demand after several years of tight inventory. Neither of those factors changed overnight in June; they’ve been accumulating for well over a year, and the data is simply catching up to what’s been happening on the ground.

You can track the broader mortgage-rate backdrop shaping both markets at Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, and see how Seattle compares to other major metros via NWMLS market statistics.

What this means if you’re buying or selling

If you’re shopping for a condo in Seattle, King County, or Snohomish County right now, you have more room to negotiate than you would in the single-family market -on price, on closing costs, and on timeline. If you already own a condo and you’re weighing a sale, expect a longer runway than a house would need, and know that pricing accurately from day one matters even more than usual. If you’re comparing a condo purchase to a house purchase, look past the sticker price to price-per-square-foot -it tells a more honest story about value. For more on what buyers are actually finding in today’s condo market, see our related post on buying a condo in Seattle right now, and for a closer look at one specific building, check out our breakdown of downtown Bellevue condos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are condos cheaper than houses in Seattle right now?

Yes, on total price -Seattle condos had a median sale price of about $495,000 in June 2026 versus $999,000 for houses. On a price-per-square-foot basis the gap is much smaller, about $528 for condos versus $555 for houses, meaning condos are a comparatively efficient use of your housing budget.

Why are Seattle condos taking longer to sell than houses?

Seattle condos had a median of 25 days on market in June 2026, compared to 7 days for houses. Condos carry roughly double the months of supply that houses do, driven by a smaller buyer pool (partly due to financing and HOA scrutiny) and steadier new supply -a trend that has been building for more than a year, not a sudden shift.

Is now a good time to buy a condo in King County?

For buyers, current conditions favor negotiating room -King County condo months of supply sits at 6.1, more than double single-family homes. Buyers priced out of the house market or looking for an efficient price-per-square-foot may find condos worth a serious look right now.

Should I sell my condo now or wait?

If you need to sell, plan for a longer timeline than a house would need and price accurately from the start -overpriced condos are the ones sitting the longest in this market. A comparative market analysis specific to your building and unit type will give you a realistic picture.

Ready to talk through what buying or selling a condo looks like for your situation? Text HOME to 206-245-8813 and I’ll reach out to set up a conversation -no pressure, just a straightforward look at your options.

Or visit HomeProHouses.com to browse listings and learn more.

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Related reading: Condo vs. House in Seattle: What $600K to $800K Actually Buys You | HOA Special Assessments in Ravenna: How to Protect Yourself