Uncategorized • November 3, 2026

South Sound Housing Market: October 2026 Update

The short version: In October 2026, home prices in Thurston, Pierce and Lewis counties held steady or rose slightly compared with a year earlier, while the number of homes for sale grew and fewer homes sold. Buyers have more to choose from, and sellers are competing for their attention.

Here’s how each county looked, using the official October numbers from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) for homes and condos.

October 2026 Median sale price vs. a year ago Homes for sale Closed sales
Thurston County $520,000 About the same Up 25% Down 20%
Pierce County $560,000 About the same Up 20% Down 12%
Lewis County $438,725 Up 3% Up 13% Down 9%

Why it matters

Mortgage rates are higher. The average 30-year fixed rate was 7.24% on October 29, 2026, according to Freddie Mac, up from 6.17% a year earlier. Higher rates mean higher monthly payments for buyers.

If you’re buying, you have more homes to compare than a year ago. Getting pre-approved first tells you what payment fits your budget before you fall in love with a house. Start your pre-approval or set up new listing alerts.

If you’re selling, pricing and preparation matter more when buyers have choices. A price based on recent sales near you is the best place to start. Get a free home value.

See the full county reports

Each county page has the complete numbers, including new listings, pending sales and months of inventory, and we update them every month:

Questions about your neighborhood? Find a local agent or call our team at (360) 529-0992.

Sources: Northwest Multiple Listing Service, October 2026 county recap; Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 29, 2026.