What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Mountlake Terrace, WA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Mountlake Terrace is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, with an estimated population of 25,198. It anchors the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area. The population has grown 4.3% per year on average between 2020 and 2024 — among the faster-growing communities in the state. The median home value in Mountlake Terrace is $698,756 as of 2026-04, down 2.3% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +4.4% annual growth (-3.3% from the 5-year peak). Rents in Mountlake Terrace average $2,099 per month, roughly flat year-over-year (+0.4%). The composite momentum score is 63 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.
Quiet strength: prices near or at all-time highs (-3.3% from 5-year peak). Solid market for owner-occupiers; investors should underwrite conservatively given the elevated entry point.
Reasons people move here
- People are voting with their feet: population growing 4.3% per year since 2020 — that's faster than ~80% of US cities.
- The data is the data: Mountlake Terrace has at least 5 years of Zillow tracking, full Census identification, and is included in the 2-criteria momentum score on this page.
Things to know first
- Cooling: -2.3% over the trailing year — momentum has stalled.
- Local nuance: city-level data smooths over neighborhood differences. School zones, HOA rules, and street-level character matter — visit before deciding.
More about Mountlake Terrace
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.