Can You Afford a Home in Kelso, WA?
A typical home in Kelso is worth $386,611, down 0.2% over the past year. That is $31K below the Cowlitz County typical of $418,072.
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Assumes housing costs stay at 33% of gross income — the sustainable middle, not the maximum a lender would approve. A typical home in Kelso costs $386,611. Rates as of 5 September 2026; they move weekly and your quote will differ.
What each income level buys in Cowlitz County
Prices below are what keeps housing at 33% of gross income, using Cowlitz County’s 0.81% effective property tax rate. The Conventional column assumes 20% down; the zero-down columns finance the funding fee into the loan.
| Household income | Conventional | VA | Zero-down CU | FHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $327,000 | $270,000 | $248,000 | $264,000 |
| $100,000 | $445,000 | $367,000 | $337,000 | $359,000 |
| $125,000 | $563,000 | $465,000 | $426,000 | $454,000 |
| $150,000 | $680,000 | $562,000 | $516,000 | $549,000 |
| $200,000 | $916,000 | $757,000 | $694,000 | $740,000 |
How Kelso compares to nearby towns
| Town | Typical home | Year over year | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryderwood | $265,015 | -1.8% | $62,000 |
| Cougar | $291,710 | +2.6% | $68,000 |
| Longview | $385,699 | -0.1% | $87,000 |
| Kelso (this page) | $386,611 | -0.2% | $88,000 |
| Castle Rock | $479,417 | +1.1% | $107,000 |
| Silverlake | $485,961 | +0.2% | $109,000 |
| Toutle | $504,724 | +2.9% | $113,000 |
If Kelso is out of reach, Ryderwood, Cougar, Longview sit lower in the same county — same commute shed, same schools district-by-district, less money.
What this does not tell you
These are typical values, not listings. Half the homes in Kelso sell for less than $386,611, and condos and townhomes sit well below it. Property tax is a county-wide effective rate, so your parcel will differ. Insurance is a state average. Run your own numbers with your own quote before you take any of this as settled.