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Advertise here →Kelso, WA · Market Data
Kelso, Washington real estate market data.
Real estate market data for Kelso, WA (Cowlitz County) — Census median home value $302,300, county listing prices down about 2.9% over the past year.
Kelso, WA is in Cowlitz County, Washington — covering the whole local market here: resale homes, condos, land, and new construction. The most recent Census estimate puts the population at 12,697, with a median household income of $59,462. Census data puts Kelso's median home value at $302,300 (all owner-occupied homes); Cowlitz County's current median listing price runs $499,924, down about 2.9% over the past year.
At a glance
Kelso market snapshot
Population
12,697
Median Household Income
$59,462
Median Home Value (city)
$302,300
Median Listing Price (Cowlitz County)
$499,924
Median Gross Rent
$1,131/mo
Price Trend (YoY)
-2.9%
Market data compiled from public sources; deemed reliable but not guaranteed; verify independently. Full source list ↗
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What makes Kelso different
Home Value, By Source
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimate) puts Kelso's median home value — across all owner-occupied homes, not just recent sales — at $302,300. Separately, Cowlitz County's current median listing price (via Realtor.com data, 2026-06-01) runs $499,924. These cover different geography (city vs. county) and different measures (assessed value vs. active listings), which is why we show both rather than picking one — full source list on our data sources page.
County Price Trend
Cowlitz County's FHFA house price index shows a 3.72% annual change in 2025.
Population & Income
Kelso has an estimated population of 12,697 and a median household income of $59,462, per the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimate).
Affordability Snapshot
Kelso's Census-reported median home value works out to about 5.1x the area's median household income, and median gross rent runs roughly 23% of that same income on an annualized basis. Housing economists commonly flag a price-to-income ratio above 4x as historically elevated -- useful context, not a personal affordability verdict.
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Common questions
Kelso FAQ
What are home values like in Kelso, WA?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey puts Kelso's median home value at $302,300. Cowlitz County's current median listing price runs $499,924, down about 2.9% over the past year.
What is the population of Kelso, WA?
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimate) puts Kelso's population at approximately 12,697.
What's the median rent in Kelso, WA?
The Census ACS estimates median gross rent in Kelso at approximately $1,131 per month.
What is the median household income in Kelso, WA?
Census ACS data puts the median household income in Kelso at approximately $59,462.
Is the Kelso housing market growing?
Cowlitz County's FHFA house price index shows a 3.72% annual change in 2025.
Is Kelso, WA affordable relative to income?
Census ACS data puts Kelso's median home value at about 5.1 times the median household income, with median gross rent equal to roughly 23% of that income annually. This is a general benchmark, not a personal pre-qualification -- your own income, debt, and down payment determine what you can actually afford.
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