Seattle

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Seattle.

Axios Seattle Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Seattle Alerts

Alert

Axios Seattle Partners

Axios Seattle

Standard

Seattle Members

Membership

Inside Seattle's dark serial killer exhibit

The immersive Pacific Place exhibit explores notorious killers, their victims and the people who caught them.

Culture

Seattle&#x27;s &quot;Mind of a Serial Killer&quot; exhibit blends museum, immersive attraction and true-crime spectacle to fuel our morbid curiosity.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traveling exhibit" data-vars-click-url="https://mindofaserialkillerexpo.com/seattle/" data-vars-content-id="264b530b-ef26-4e0f-b4ae-77af07b4bdff" data-vars-headline="Inside Seattle&#x27;s dark serial killer exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mindofaserialkillerexpo.com/seattle/" target="_blank">traveling exhibit</a> at Pacific Place explores notorious serial killers — including several with Pacific Northwest ties — their victims and the investigators who tried to understand and catch them.

All Seattle students to get free school meals this fall

Seattle approved $3.6 million to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students this fall.

News

Seattle will provide free meals to all Seattle Public Schools students starting this fall, using $3.6 million the City Council approved this week.Why it matters: The vote caps a weeks-long discussion between Mayor Katie Wilson and City Council members over how soon to offer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="universal school meals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/12/universal-school-lunches-may-improve-attendance-and-reduce-obesity" data-vars-content-id="896767b0-cda3-4d8c-8575-2dc9e1c43596" data-vars-headline="All Seattle students to get free school meals this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/12/universal-school-lunches-may-improve-attendance-and-reduce-obesity" target="_self">universal school meals</a>.

School cellphone bans show mixed results in new study

Restrictions sharply cut phone use, but researchers found virtually no effect on student test scores.

Education

Schools in Seattle and across the U.S. are cracking down on student <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cellphone use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/30/no-screen-school-technology-parents-ai" data-vars-content-id="36cb7506-55d5-4ce3-8a2e-e5f65d04066f" data-vars-headline="School cellphone bans show mixed results in new study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/30/no-screen-school-technology-parents-ai" target="_self">cellphone use</a>, but a recent study finds the restrictions bring mixed results.The big picture: Schools that require students to lock away their phones during class have seen phone use decline substantially, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w35132/w35132.pdf" data-vars-content-id="36cb7506-55d5-4ce3-8a2e-e5f65d04066f" data-vars-headline="School cellphone bans show mixed results in new study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w35132/w35132.pdf" target="_blank">study</a> shared by the National Bureau of Economic Research in April.<ul><li>Student well-being also appears to improve the longer the rules remain in place.</li></ul>

Recess makes a comeback in Washington and across the U.S.

After decades of declines, more states are requiring schools to protect time for children's play.

After decades of diminished recess time, a dozen states — including Washington — now require it by law.Why it matters: Yes, recess is literally <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child&#x27;s play" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/01/playroom-custom-cost" data-vars-content-id="b058736d-9be8-464e-9008-a4a2970bbd6a" data-vars-headline="Recess makes a comeback in Washington and across the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/01/playroom-custom-cost" target="_self">child&#x27;s play</a>. But researchers, pediatricians and parents say it&#x27;s crucial for young students&#x27; physical and mental health.

Seattle home sales plunge as stalemate deepens

Pending home sales in the metro fell 15.6% in July, the steepest drop among major U.S. metros.

Seattle-area homebuyers have more choices and leverage than a year ago, but high costs and economic uncertainty are still keeping many on the sidelines.The big picture: New July data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service shows inventory piling up as sales slow.

Seattle home prices post nation's biggest drop

After years of bidding wars, Seattle leads the U.S. in falling prices and rising inventory.

Seattle-area housing prices are falling, and inventory is rising faster than anywhere else in the U.S., further evidence that the region&#x27;s once <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red-hot market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/29/seattle-million-dollar-homes" data-vars-content-id="46b2f07a-b390-437a-b7d9-b077f034aebb" data-vars-headline="Seattle home prices post nation&#x27;s biggest drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/29/seattle-million-dollar-homes" target="_self">red-hot market</a> may be cooling.Why it matters: The Seattle housing market&#x27;s rapid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/24/seattle-housing-market-spring-inventory-up-prices-soft" data-vars-content-id="46b2f07a-b390-437a-b7d9-b077f034aebb" data-vars-headline="Seattle home prices post nation&#x27;s biggest drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/03/24/seattle-housing-market-spring-inventory-up-prices-soft" target="_self">shift</a> marks a sharp reversal from the region&#x27;s pandemic-era bidding wars, soaring prices and limited inventory.

Seattle-area home prices soften as buyers hesitate

Housing inventory is jumping across King County, but sales are falling and deals are collapsing.

Seattle&#x27;s housing market is entering spring with more listings and softer prices, but many buyers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="still aren&#x27;t biting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/23/seattle-housing-market-prices-affordability-median-income-expensive" data-vars-content-id="791162ae-92a2-40ab-a72f-06a5cebec4c0" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area home prices soften as buyers hesitate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/01/23/seattle-housing-market-prices-affordability-median-income-expensive" target="_self">still aren&#x27;t biting</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Affordability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="791162ae-92a2-40ab-a72f-06a5cebec4c0" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area home prices soften as buyers hesitate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">Affordability</a> has long been a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattlechamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Index-9-Oct-2025-Report-FINAL.pdf" data-vars-content-id="791162ae-92a2-40ab-a72f-06a5cebec4c0" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area home prices soften as buyers hesitate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattlechamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Index-9-Oct-2025-Report-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">top concern</a> here, so it&#x27;s notable one of the country&#x27;s most expensive markets just saw one of the biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home price drops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/12/15/seattle-metro-home-values-decline-zillow-2025" data-vars-content-id="791162ae-92a2-40ab-a72f-06a5cebec4c0" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area home prices soften as buyers hesitate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/12/15/seattle-metro-home-values-decline-zillow-2025" target="_self">home price drops</a> among major metros, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent REMAX data" data-vars-click-url="https://res.cloudinary.com/remax-prod/images/v1771357106/us-news-prod/FINAL_REMAX_January_NHR_2026/FINAL_REMAX_January_NHR_2026.pdf?_i=AA" data-vars-content-id="791162ae-92a2-40ab-a72f-06a5cebec4c0" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area home prices soften as buyers hesitate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/remax-prod/images/v1771357106/us-news-prod/FINAL_REMAX_January_NHR_2026/FINAL_REMAX_January_NHR_2026.pdf?_i=AA" target="_blank">recent REMAX data</a>.

Seattle-area homes see smallest price cuts in U.S.

Seattle buyers are getting modest price cuts, but discounts lag far behind most major U.S. metros.

About half of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="0d8af06a-2208-4f7d-b9a5-284a9dc75618" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area homes see smallest price cuts in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">homes</a> sold in the Seattle area last year went for less than their original asking price — although not by much.The big picture: Nationwide, people who can afford to buy homes are scoring some of the best deals in years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Sami Sparber writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/16/home-sale-discount-metro" data-vars-content-id="0d8af06a-2208-4f7d-b9a5-284a9dc75618" data-vars-headline="Seattle-area homes see smallest price cuts in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/16/home-sale-discount-metro" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Sami Sparber writes</a>. In Seattle, though, the savings have been more modest.

Renting is cheaper than owning a home in the Seattle area

A new analysis shows renting now costs less than owning across the Seattle metro area.

Real Estate

For renters in the Seattle metro area who feel shut out of homeownership, there&#x27;s at least one small upside for now: Renting here costs about $900 less per month than owning, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new analysis finds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/renting-owning-housing-costs-metro" data-vars-content-id="3d533e59-9142-42e2-bb98-5ca697f1660e" data-vars-headline="Renting is cheaper than owning a home in the Seattle area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/renting-owning-housing-costs-metro" target="_self">a new analysis finds</a>.The big picture: Seattle reflects a national pattern: Renting is cheaper than owning in all of the 100 largest U.S. metro areas, according to a LendingTree <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/comparing-rent-vs-owning-a-home-in-nations-largest-metros/" data-vars-content-id="3d533e59-9142-42e2-bb98-5ca697f1660e" data-vars-headline="Renting is cheaper than owning a home in the Seattle area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/comparing-rent-vs-owning-a-home-in-nations-largest-metros/" target="_blank">analysis</a> of the latest available census data.

Saving for a home in the Seattle area takes 22+ years

A typical local household would need about 22.6 years to save for a median down payment, per Realtor.com.

It takes the typical Seattle-area household more than 20 years to save for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="down payment " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/26/down-payment-savings-metro" data-vars-content-id="faf47555-57c0-487a-8ba2-0c74cc0914c0" data-vars-headline="Saving for a home in the Seattle area takes 22+ years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/26/down-payment-savings-metro" target="_self">down payment </a>in 2025, according to a Realtor.com <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/downpayment-savings-december-2025/" data-vars-content-id="faf47555-57c0-487a-8ba2-0c74cc0914c0" data-vars-headline="Saving for a home in the Seattle area takes 22+ years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/downpayment-savings-december-2025/" target="_blank">analysis</a>.Why it matters: Coming up with a down payment is one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest barriers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/homebuyers-are-struggling-to-make-bigger-down-payments.html" data-vars-content-id="faf47555-57c0-487a-8ba2-0c74cc0914c0" data-vars-headline="Saving for a home in the Seattle area takes 22+ years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/homebuyers-are-struggling-to-make-bigger-down-payments.html" target="_blank">biggest barriers</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeownership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/stocks-retirement-gen-z" data-vars-content-id="faf47555-57c0-487a-8ba2-0c74cc0914c0" data-vars-headline="Saving for a home in the Seattle area takes 22+ years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/stocks-retirement-gen-z" target="_self">homeownership</a>.

Seattle housing costs still lock out many

Even with a price dip, few can afford to buy a home in the city.

Seattle&#x27;s housing market may be stabilizing on paper, but it still excludes a growing share of residents, shaping who can stay in the city and who has to look elsewhere.The big picture: The cost of purchasing a home in Seattle and the metro area remains out of reach for most first-time buyers, single people, service workers or middle-income households, John Manning, managing broker of RE/MAX Gateway, told Axios.

Most Seattle-area homes lost value this year

However, the typical Seattle-area home value is down only about 1% year-over-year.

Nearly four out of five homes in the Seattle metro area have lost value in the past year, a much higher share than the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national average" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/home-value-loss-map" data-vars-content-id="743a702a-7055-4d47-a447-7f9d91b3b59e" data-vars-headline="Most Seattle-area homes lost value this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/home-value-loss-map" target="_self">national average</a>, according to Zillow data.The big picture: The widespread drop in Seattle-area home values may offer some relief to struggling buyers, even as local home prices <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/unemployment-rate-jobs-10-year-mortgage" data-vars-content-id="743a702a-7055-4d47-a447-7f9d91b3b59e" data-vars-headline="Most Seattle-area homes lost value this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/unemployment-rate-jobs-10-year-mortgage" target="_self">and mortgage rates</a> remain high.

Office slump hits Seattle hard

A wave of vacancies and falling demand is reshaping the city's commercial real estate core.

Seattle leads the nation in office rent declines as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacancies climb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/04/commercial-real-estate-vacancy-record-high-2025" data-vars-content-id="13ea1cc0-c155-4fb0-8c62-c5e014fb7f00" data-vars-headline="Office slump hits Seattle hard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/04/commercial-real-estate-vacancy-record-high-2025" target="_self">vacancies climb</a> to record highs, according to a November <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CoStar analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26313971-costar-seattle-leads-the-nation-in-office-rent-declines-as-vacancy-rises-1/" data-vars-content-id="13ea1cc0-c155-4fb0-8c62-c5e014fb7f00" data-vars-headline="Office slump hits Seattle hard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26313971-costar-seattle-leads-the-nation-in-office-rent-declines-as-vacancy-rises-1/" target="_blank">CoStar analysis</a>.Why it matters: Seattle&#x27;s office slump is reshaping the region&#x27;s commercial real estate landscape — with long-term implications for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property values" data-vars-click-url="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/assessor/about-king-county/about-king-county-assessor/news/Jul-1-2024-PropertyValues" data-vars-content-id="13ea1cc0-c155-4fb0-8c62-c5e014fb7f00" data-vars-headline="Office slump hits Seattle hard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/assessor/about-king-county/about-king-county-assessor/news/Jul-1-2024-PropertyValues" target="_blank">property values</a>, city tax revenues and the future of downtown.

Why Seattle's housing market feels frozen in place

Seattle has more homes for sale than in years, but few buyers — or sellers — are making moves.

Seattle&#x27;s housing market seems stuck in place, even as mortgage rates ease and inventory climbs.The big picture: Seattle&#x27;s home-sale turnover — the share of homes that actually change hands — has plunged to 2% in 2025 from 3.2% in 2019, among the steepest drops in the country, according to an Axios analysis of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent Redfin data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/home-turnover-report-2025/" data-vars-content-id="3e1eb306-dd42-4eeb-884c-cb5d56dd99fa" data-vars-headline="Why Seattle&#x27;s housing market feels frozen in place" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/home-turnover-report-2025/" target="_blank">recent Redfin data</a>.

A bar chart showing the average price difference among homes that sold below their original list price. On average, homes sold for 7.8% less than asking. Homes in West Palm Beach, Fla, Detroit and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. went for 10-11% below asking. Homes in the Seattle metro area went for 5.7% below asking.

Price difference among homes that sold below asking

A chart showing the monthly median cost to rent or own by metro area in 2024 among the 100 largest metros. In all metro areas, it was cheaper to rent than it was to own a home. The national average rent price was $1,487 compared to $2,035 to own. In the Seattle metro, the median rental cost was $2,050 compared to $2,989 to own.

Monthly median cost to rent or own by metro area

Data: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data; Note: Monthly costs include utilities, fees, and/or taxes; Median housing costs above $4,000 are recorded as "$4,000+" by the Census Bureau; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios

Real Estate 🏠

Seattle home sales plunge as stalemate deepens

Seattle home prices post nation's biggest drop

Seattle-area home prices soften as buyers hesitate

Seattle-area homes see smallest price cuts in U.S.

Renting is cheaper than owning a home in the Seattle area