2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Washington — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

726 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 98224 (Baring, WA) - 60/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 726 ZIP codes with data in Washington, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Washington Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 726
Highest value 60/100
Median value 30/100
State Washington

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 98224 Baring WA 60/100 73/100
2 99020 Marshall WA 58/100 54/100
3 99156 Newport WA 57/100 51/100
4 98255 Hamilton WA 56/100 77/100
5 99031 Spangle WA 55/100 67/100
6 99180 Usk WA 55/100 61/100
7 99032 Sprague WA 54/100 77/100
8 98256 Index WA 53/100 82/100
9 98572 Pe Ell WA 51/100 90/100
10 98852 Stehekin WA 51/100 45/100
11 99003 Chattaroy WA 51/100 69/100
12 99161 Palouse WA 51/100 81/100
13 99336 Kennewick WA 51/100 58/100
14 98288 Skykomish WA 50/100 85/100
15 98520 Aberdeen WA 50/100 71/100
16 98531 Centralia WA 50/100 75/100
17 98595 Westport WA 50/100 74/100
18 99119 Cusick WA 50/100 60/100
19 99157 Northport WA 50/100 64/100
20 99371 Washtucna WA 50/100 75/100
21 98262 Lummi Island WA 49/100 85/100
22 98443 Tacoma WA 49/100 83/100
23 98583 Satsop WA 49/100 94/100
24 98832 Marlin WA 49/100 78/100
25 99114 Colville WA 49/100 56/100
26 99143 Lacrosse WA 49/100 72/100
27 99201 Spokane WA 49/100 70/100
28 99362 Walla Walla WA 49/100 69/100
29 98530 Bucoda WA 48/100 89/100
30 98532 Chehalis WA 48/100 75/100
31 99152 Metaline WA 48/100 68/100
32 99302 Pasco WA 48/100 79/100
33 99343 Mesa WA 48/100 62/100
34 98247 Everson WA 47/100 78/100
35 98361 Packwood WA 47/100 83/100
36 98628 Klickitat WA 47/100 55/100
37 98647 Skamokawa WA 47/100 65/100
38 99033 Tekoa WA 47/100 79/100
39 99139 Ione WA 47/100 70/100
40 99158 Oakesdale WA 47/100 63/100
41 99204 Spokane WA 47/100 70/100
42 99361 Waitsburg WA 47/100 73/100
43 98267 Marblemount WA 46/100 70/100
44 98283 Rockport WA 46/100 95/100
45 98356 Morton WA 46/100 87/100
46 98377 Randle WA 46/100 85/100
47 98544 Galvin WA 46/100 65/100
48 98550 Hoquiam WA 46/100 80/100
49 98563 Montesano WA 46/100 81/100
50 98582 Salkum WA 46/100 62/100
51 98621 Grays River WA 46/100 65/100
52 98941 Roslyn WA 46/100 72/100
53 99151 Marcus WA 46/100 40/100
54 99153 Metaline Falls WA 46/100 40/100
55 98278 Oak Harbor WA 45/100 71/100
56 98586 South Bend WA 45/100 65/100
57 98812 Brewster WA 45/100 69/100
58 98855 Tonasket WA 45/100 69/100
59 99102 Albion WA 45/100 81/100
60 99111 Colfax WA 45/100 78/100
61 99115 Coulee City WA 45/100 79/100
62 99118 Curlew WA 45/100 48/100
63 99128 Farmington WA 45/100 82/100
64 99155 Nespelem WA 45/100 64/100
65 99337 Kennewick WA 45/100 58/100
66 99359 Starbuck WA 45/100 82/100
67 98241 Darrington WA 44/100 85/100
68 98243 Deer Harbor WA 44/100 66/100
69 98858 Waterville WA 44/100 78/100
70 99109 Chewelah WA 44/100 68/100
71 99124 Elmer City WA 44/100 66/100
72 99149 Malden WA 44/100 53/100
73 99166 Republic WA 44/100 61/100
74 99205 Spokane WA 44/100 66/100
75 99301 Pasco WA 44/100 80/100
76 99323 Burbank WA 44/100 71/100
77 99344 Othello WA 44/100 72/100
78 98201 Everett WA 43/100 82/100
79 98277 Oak Harbor WA 43/100 66/100
80 98541 Elma WA 43/100 84/100
81 98547 Grayland WA 43/100 65/100
82 98638 Naselle WA 43/100 65/100
83 98849 Riverside WA 43/100 59/100
84 98902 Yakima WA 43/100 82/100
85 98922 Cle Elum WA 43/100 49/100
86 98930 Grandview WA 43/100 81/100
87 98937 Naches WA 43/100 71/100
88 99009 Elk WA 43/100 63/100
89 99030 Rockford WA 43/100 70/100
90 99103 Almira WA 43/100 83/100
91 99122 Davenport WA 43/100 80/100
92 99125 Endicott WA 43/100 83/100
93 99137 Hunters WA 43/100 53/100
94 99159 Odessa WA 43/100 82/100
95 99170 Rosalia WA 43/100 82/100
96 99328 Dayton WA 43/100 78/100
97 99335 Kahlotus WA 43/100 79/100
98 98014 Carnation WA 42/100 82/100
99 98538 Curtis WA 42/100 65/100
100 98562 Moclips WA 42/100 73/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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