What an Acre of Land Costs in Washington in 2026

Land values in Washington can swing dramatically—from premium urban lots near Puget Sound to working farmland east of the Cascades. If you’re trying to estimate what one acre is “worth,” the most accurate answer starts with two questions: what kind of land is it and what can you legally do with it?

The 2025 baseline: What an acre costs in Washington (by land type)

For a current, apples-to-apples snapshot, USDA land value benchmarks provide a helpful starting point—especially for agricultural ground.

Washington cropland values

• Washington cropland value averaged $7,600 per acre in 2025, according to USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary.
• Washington irrigated cropland value averaged $7,600 per acre in 2025, per USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary.
• Washington non-irrigated cropland value averaged $2,370 per acre in 2025, per USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary.

Washington pasture value

• Washington pasture value averaged $1,110 per acre in 2025, according to USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary.

Washington cropland cash rent (income potential)

• Washington cropland cash rent averaged $259 per acre in 2025, according to USDA NASS Land Values and Cash Rents 2025.

These figures don’t replace a local appraisal, but they do anchor your expectations—especially when you compare irrigated versus non-irrigated ground, or buying versus leasing.

How Washington compares to the U.S. land market in 2025

Washington prices often look “high” until you put them next to national averages—and then adjust for water access, productivity, and development pressure.

• U.S. farm real estate value averaged $4,350 per acre in 2025, up $180 per acre (4.3%) from 2024, according to USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary.
• U.S. cropland value averaged $5,830 per acre in 2025, up $260 per acre (4.7%) from 2024, per USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary.
• U.S. pasture value averaged $1,920 per acre in 2025, up $90 per acre (4.9%) from 2024, per USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary.

In other words, Washington cropland (especially productive or irrigated acreage) can price above national averages, while some pasture and remote rural parcels may price well below what you’ll see near growing job centers.

Why one acre can be “cheap” in one county and seven figures in another

Even with solid benchmarks, Washington land pricing stays highly local. The same acre size can have radically different values depending on a handful of factors buyers and lenders care about most.

1) Location and demand (urban vs. rural)

An acre near Seattle, Bellevue, or other high-demand corridors can trade at a premium because zoning capacity, infrastructure, and buyer competition compress supply. Meanwhile, more remote counties may offer lower acquisition costs—but often require more due diligence around utilities, access, and buildability.

2) Zoning, allowable use, and development potential

Zoning drives value because it defines what you can build (or subdivide) and how you can use the land. A residential acre with subdivision potential typically commands more than an agricultural acre with limited non-farm uses. Commercial and industrial parcels also price differently—especially near ports, highways, and established employment hubs.

3) Water and irrigation reliability

In much of Washington, water is value. That shows up clearly in the 2025 cropland benchmarks: non-irrigated cropland averaged $2,370 per acre while irrigated cropland averaged $7,600 per acre, per the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary. Water rights, well performance, and irrigation district access can materially change an acre’s price and its long-term usability.

4) Physical characteristics: topography, soils, and constraints

Build-ready, usable land tends to sell faster and for more money. Steep slopes, wetlands, critical areas, flood risk, unstable soils, and easements can reduce what a buyer can do—so they often reduce value as well. On the flip side, high-quality soils and proven production history support stronger pricing for farm ground.

5) Access and utilities

All-weather road access, power, water, septic feasibility, and modern internet availability can separate “dream property” from “expensive project.” Parcels that already have these basics typically trade at a higher price per acre because they reduce time, cost, and uncertainty.

What recent trend data says about land prices (and volatility)

Land doesn’t move like a stock, but it isn’t immune to cycles—especially when interest rates, commodity markets, and investor appetite shift.

For example, the Farmer Mac index showed a meaningful pullback year over year: the Farmer Mac Farmland Price Index fell to $7,592 per acre in Q2 2025, down 6% from $8,069 per acre in Q2 2024, according to the Farmer Mac Farmland Price Index Update Q2 2025. That kind of movement reinforces why timing, financing costs, and local comparables matter when you price (or bid on) acreage.

Practical guidance for buyers in Washington

1. Start with land type and intended use. Compare your target property to the closest benchmark (cropland, irrigated, non-irrigated, pasture) and then adjust for local factors.
2. Verify zoning and critical areas early. Before you fall in love with a parcel, confirm what’s allowed and what’s restricted.
3. Confirm water and access in writing. For rural acreage, these are often the deal-makers.
4. Use specialists. A land-savvy agent, surveyor, and (when needed) environmental or geotechnical professionals can uncover issues that change value.

Practical guidance for sellers in Washington

1. Market to the right buyer. Builders, neighboring farmers, recreational buyers, and owner-users each value features differently.
2. Document the value drivers. Access, utilities, wells, water rights, soil history, and feasibility work can reduce uncertainty—and support a higher price.
3. Expect a longer timeline than home sales. Land often takes longer to underwrite, study, and close because buyers must answer “Can I use it?” before they decide “Do I want it?”
4. Consider alternative selling routes if speed matters. Some owners choose direct-sale options to avoid listing timelines, showings, and contingencies.

If you’re exploring a faster sale option, you can review a Washington-specific overview here: buy or sell land in Washington.

Final thoughts

One acre of land in Washington can be worth a few thousand dollars—or far more—because value depends on use, water, zoning, access, and local demand. For agricultural ground, 2025 benchmarks provide clear signals: Washington cropland averaged $7,600 per acre, non-irrigated cropland averaged $2,370 per acre, and pasture averaged $1,110 per acre, according to the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary. If you’re evaluating returns, Washington cropland cash rent averaged $259 per acre in 2025, per USDA NASS Land Values and Cash Rents 2025.

To get to a real number for a specific parcel, pair these benchmarks with local comps, a realistic use plan, and careful due diligence. If you want more context on the Washington market, see: land worth in Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the average price of an acre of land in Washington?

It depends on land type and location. For agricultural benchmarks in 2025, Washington cropland averaged $7,600 per acre and pasture averaged $1,110 per acre, according to the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary. Urban and buildable acreage near major job centers can be far higher.

How does irrigation affect land value in Washington?

Irrigation can significantly change pricing. In 2025, Washington irrigated cropland averaged $7,600 per acre while non-irrigated cropland averaged $2,370 per acre, per the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary. Water rights, district access, and well reliability often drive the premium.

Can I estimate land value using rent numbers?

Rent can help you evaluate income potential for farm ground. Washington cropland cash rent averaged $259 per acre in 2025, according to USDA NASS Land Values and Cash Rents 2025. Actual lease rates vary based on soils, water, crop type, and local demand.

Are land prices still rising nationally?

At the national level, USDA reported year-over-year increases in 2025: U.S. farm real estate averaged $4,350 per acre (up 4.3% from 2024), cropland averaged $5,830 (up 4.7%), and pasture averaged $1,920 (up 4.9%), according to the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary. Trendlines still vary by region and land class.

What do recent indexes say about farmland pricing momentum?

Some indicators show softening. The Farmer Mac Farmland Price Index fell to $7,592 per acre in Q2 2025, down 6% from $8,069 per acre in Q2 2024, according to the Farmer Mac Farmland Price Index Update Q2 2025. Local conditions still matter most for any specific Washington parcel.