Are housing costs too high in WA? Jake Skorheim worries his children will have to leave

With the cost of living surge across Washington, many people worry that it’s too difficult to stay here.

Jake Skorheim, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, said he is not only worried about how this will affect him, but also how it will impact the future lives of his children.

“How much longer do you choose to live in a state that doesn’t seem to value you as a citizen and just wants to take, take, take because there are other states where you don’t have to pay these types of taxes,” said Jake,  “I can stomach them for myself, but when I start thinking about what kind of life my kids are going to have, it’s tough to buy a house in Washington State.”

$1 million starter homes in Washington?

According to The Seattle Times, a Redfin agent shared that most homes in the Seattle area are now starting at or around $1 million and are much smaller than previously expected for that price range.

As of February 2025, the average cost of a single-family home in Washington is $658,700. In the neighboring state of Idaho, the average is only $474,700, according to Redfin’s monthly housing market data.

“When you launch your children into this world you’re choosing where you’re going to do that,” said Jake,” If they can’t afford to do it here, which is becoming very unattainable in Washington, they’re going to have to go and do it somewhere else.”

Jake noted that his own parents relocated from California to Washington due to housing costs, and that he would would hate for his kids to relocate when they become adults.

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.