An examination of Washington state home values reveals rapid growth is occurring in both Hoquiam and Aberdeen as measured by appreciation.

Jon Dykstra, founder of Home Stratosphere — a national real estate firm — analyzed the Zillow Home Value Index to identify Washington’s fastest-growing home values in towns from 2016 to 2025, as of April 2025.

The Value Index is a measure of the typical home value and market changes across a given region and housing type. It reflects the typical value for homes.

These 20 communities have experienced extraordinary appreciation ranging from 146% to 220%, significantly outpacing state and national averages.

What’s fascinating is the geographic pattern — most are rural, small-town markets that were previously overlooked. Buyers priced out of Seattle’s metro area found these affordable alternatives, creating investment opportunities that yielded six-figure equity gains in just nine years.

The data reveals a clear progression: initially slow growth through 2019, then explosive acceleration during the pandemic years (2020-2022), followed by a plateau in 2023-2024 before modest renewal in 2025. This suggests timing the market was critical for maximizing returns.

The top 10

1. Bucoda

Bucoda claims Washington’s top spot with a staggering 220% appreciation rate, tripling property values and generating nearly $196,000 in equity from minimal initial investment. The market shows sustained momentum even post-2022, suggesting fundamental demand rather than pandemic-driven anomalies. This small community offers investors an exceptional combination of affordability, capital growth potential, and strong rental yields, making it an ideal diversification target for portfolios overly concentrated in higher-priced, lower-yielding urban assets.

2. Vader

Vader’s extraordinary 205% growth has generated over $240,000 in wealth for early investors who recognized its untapped potential. The market’s quick recovery from a minor 2023 dip demonstrates resilience and underlying strength in the demand fundamentals. This small community along the Cowlitz River offers exceptional value for capital deployment, with lower acquisition costs than most markets and strong appreciation potential as remote work continues reshaping residential preferences away from urban centers.

3. Hoquiam

Hoquiam’s remarkable 198% appreciation has turned modest $80,000 investments into $237,000 assets, representing extraordinary ROI on minimal capital deployment. The consistent value increases, even post-pandemic, reveal sustainable demand based on fundamental affordability. This coastal community offers exceptional value for income-focused investors, with low acquisition costs supporting rental yields often exceeding 8-10% — significantly outperforming most fixed-income alternatives in today’s financial landscape.

4. Packwood

Packwood’s extraordinary 193% growth has built over $303,000 in equity for property owners who recognized its investment potential. The consistent appreciation trajectory, even after 2022, indicates strong fundamental demand rather than speculative fever. This mountain community near Mount Rainier and White Pass Ski Area offers exceptional opportunities in the vacation rental market, with premium seasonal rates generating returns that significantly outperform traditional real estate investments and financial instruments.

5. Winlock

Winlock’s remarkable 192% appreciation has generated nearly $300,000 in wealth for early investors who recognized its potential. Unlike many markets that plateaued after 2022, Winlock continues showing robust growth, suggesting sustainable demand fundamentals. This small community along I-5 benefits from strategic location between Seattle and Portland, offering investors relative affordability combined with accessibility that supports both appreciation potential and consistent rental demand from commuters.

6. Pe Ell

Pe Ell’s extraordinary 188% growth rate has transformed modest $113,000 investments into $327,000 assets, delivering exceptional returns that far outpace traditional investment vehicles. The recovery and continued growth after a minor 2023 dip confirm strong underlying demand fundamentals. This small community in Lewis County offers compelling value for investors seeking affordable entry points, with potential for both capital appreciation and rental yields that significantly outperform more established markets.

7. Maple Falls

Maple Falls property values have appreciated by a staggering 180%, converting $128,000 investments into $358,000 assets within nine years. The brief 2023 dip created buying opportunities before growth resumed, demonstrating the market’s resilience. This mountain community near Mount Baker offers exceptional investment potential in both long-term appreciation and seasonal vacation rentals, with proximity to skiing and hiking trails creating year-round demand that traditional residential markets often lack.

8. Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass property values have skyrocketed by over $500,000 since 2016, representing both the largest dollar gain and among the highest percentage increases in Washington. The market shows renewed momentum in 2025 after a brief plateau, suggesting another potential growth cycle. This premier ski destination offers unparalleled investment opportunities in the luxury vacation rental segment, with premium winter rates often generating six-figure annual revenues for well-positioned properties.

9. Ashford

Ashford’s exceptional 172.5% growth has generated nearly $234,000 in equity for property owners who recognized its investment potential early. The consistent year-over-year appreciation, even after the pandemic boom, indicates sustainable demand driven by fundamental factors. This gateway community to Mount Rainier National Park offers prime opportunities in the vacation rental market, with nightly rates during peak season providing returns that far exceed traditional investment vehicles.

10. Lind

Lind’s remarkable 172% appreciation has transformed minimal $70,000 investments into $191,000 assets, offering extraordinary returns on modest capital deployment. The recent acceleration in 2025 suggests another growth phase may be beginning after modest 2024 gains. This Eastern Washington wheat farming community offers investors exceptionally low acquisition costs and strong rental yields, with cash flow potential that significantly outperforms stock dividends and bond returns in today’s financial landscape.

Others from the greater Grays Harbor area in the Top 20

17. Aberdeen

Aberdeen’s remarkable transformation turned $103,000 properties into $264,000 assets, representing extraordinary ROI for early investors who recognized its potential. The coastal city continues showing steady post-pandemic growth rather than retracement, indicating sustainable demand fundamentals. This former timber town near Grays Harbor offers multi-unit investment opportunities at significantly lower acquisition costs than most markets, with rental yields often exceeding 8% even at today’s elevated valuations.

20. Raymond

Raymond’s property market has transformed $113,000 investments into assets worth nearly $283,000, delivering exceptional returns on a modest initial outlay. The coastal town’s affordability creates compelling rental yield opportunities, with cash flow potential exceeding that of many larger markets. Located in Pacific County near the coast, Raymond’s steady post-2022 growth pattern indicates sustainable demand rather than speculative fever, making it ideal for buy-and-hold investment strategies.