Washington state is a great place to live with its diverse landscape and abundance of activities. There are many great places to live in Washington, each with its own unique benefits.
Some of the best places to live in Washington include Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Tacoma, and Olympia. Each of these cities has its own charms and offers something different for residents.
Seattle is known for its lively arts scene and great restaurants, while Bellevue is a more suburban city with a strong business community.
Kirkland is a charming waterfront town with excellent parks and recreation facilities, Redmond is a high-tech hub with plenty of job opportunities, Tacoma is a port city with a rich history, and Olympia is the state capital with lots of cultural attractions.
No matter what your interests or needs are, there is sure to be a perfect place to live in Washington state.
Related: The 10 Most Expensive Places to Live in Colorado
Most Expensive Places to Live in Washington State
Washington is a beautiful state with majestic mountains and sparkling coastlines. It’s also one of the most expensive states to live in.
If you’re looking for a place to call home, be prepared to spend a lot of money.
Here are some of the most expensive places to live in Washington:
1. Bellevue
- Median Home Price: $1.5M
- Cost of Living: 111.7%
- Population: 146,145 (2020)
Bellevue is an affluent Seattle suburb, Bellevue is known for its luxury homes and high-end shopping centers. The city is consistently rated as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places to live in the United States.
With a median household income of over $129,497 and median home prices well over $1,000,000, it’s no wonder that Bellevue is often referred to as a “luxury city”.
Despite its high cost of living, Bellevue remains a popular destination for people looking to escape the bustle of Seattle.
The city has a wide variety of restaurants and shops, as well as several parks and trails.
Related: The 10 Most Expensive Places to Live in Texas
2. Sammamish
- Median Home Price: $1.8M
- Cost of Living: 199.6%
- Population: 65,265 (2020)
Sammamish, Washington is one of the most expensive places to live in the state. The city is located east of Seattle and has a population of about 65,265 people.
The cost of living in Sammamish is high due to the city’s proximity to Seattle and its many amenities.
Some of the most expensive housing in Washington can be found in Sammamish, and residents often pay a premium for goods and services.
The city’s popularity is driving up prices, as more and more people are moving there in search of its suburban feel and good schools. There is a limited supply of homes available for sale, and competition among buyers is fierce.
Sammamish offers a mix of rural and suburban living, with easy access to downtown Seattle. It has become a popular destination for people who work in the city but wants to raise their families in a quieter setting.
3. Kirkland
- Median Home Price: $1.2M
- Cost of Living: 173%
- Population: 91,146 (2020)
Kirkland, Washington is another most expensive place to live in the state. With a median home price of $1.2 million, it’s nearly triple the state median of $452,400.
The cost of living in Kirkland is also high, with a median household income of over $130,000. This makes it difficult for many people to afford to live in the city.
Despite this, Kirkland remains a popular place to live due to its proximity to Seattle and its abundance of amenities. The city has a thriving economy and is home to many large companies, including Google and Microsoft.
It’s also known for its excellent schools and beautiful parks and waterfronts.
Related: Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in Florida
4. Seattle
- Median Home Price: $985K
- Cost of Living: 172.3%
- Population: 741,251 (2020)
Seattle is the largest city in Washington with a population of over 741,251 people. Seattle is also one of the most expensive places to live in Washington state.
The cost of living in Seattle is high due to the high cost of housing and other living expenses. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Seattle is over $1,500 per month.
The cost of groceries, transportation, and utilities are also high in Seattle. The cost of living in Seattle is significantly higher than in other cities in Washington state.
5. Redmond
- Median Home Price: $1.4M
- Cost of Living: 185.1%
- Population: 67,959 (2020)
Redmond is one of the most expensive places to live in Washington state. According to Zillow, the median home value in Redmond is $1,490,418. The median rent price is $3,100 per month.
This high cost of living is due, in part, to the city’s close proximity to Seattle and its many technology companies.
While Redmond offers many amenities and a great quality of life, it can be difficult for those who are not employed in the tech industry to afford to live there.
6. Shoreline
- Median Home Price: $840K
- Cost of Living: 154.2%
- Population: 56,835 (2020)
However, it’s important to note that this Seattle suburb is also one of the most expensive places to live in the entire state.
The cost of living in Shoreline is high for a number of reasons. First and foremost, there’s the fact that it’s located so close to Seattle.
This means that housing prices are often much higher than in other parts of the state. There are a number of businesses and high-paying jobs located in Shoreline, which helps drive up costs.
Despite the high cost of living, there are many people who choose to call Shoreline home. The area has great schools, plenty of parks and recreation opportunities, and a strong community spirit.
Related: The 13 Most Expensive Cities to Live in California
7. Issaquah
- Median Home Price: $1.2M
- Cost of Living: 172.5%
- Population: 38,707 (2020)
Issaquah is one of the most expensive places to live in Washington state. According to the website Zillow, the median home value in Issaquah is $1,238,959. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Issaquah is $2,400 per month.
Although Issaquah is an expensive place to live, it is also a beautiful and desirable community. The city has a population of 38,707 and is located just east of Seattle.
8. Bothell
- Median Home Price: $1.1M
- Cost of Living: 156.8%
- Population: 46,386 (2020)
While the cost of living in Seattle is high, Bothell is one of the most expensive places to live in Washington state.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is over $1,600, and the median home value is over $1,072,250.
There are many reasons for this high cost of living, including the growing population and limited availability of land.
Despite the high prices, Bothell continues to be a popular place to live due to its convenient location and abundance of amenities.
9. Edmonds
- Median Home Price: $962K
- Cost of Living: 149.8%
- Population: 42,347 (2020)
Edmonds, Washington is a small city located just north of Seattle. It is often referred to as a bedroom community because it is a popular place to live for people who work in Seattle but want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Edmonds is also one of the most expensive places to live in Washington state.
A recent study by Zillow found that the median home value in Edmonds is $962,353, which is more than twice the statewide median of $452,400.
The median rent in Edmonds is also significantly higher than the statewide median.
Related: Why is California so Expensive to Live in
10. Renton
- Median Home Price: $788K
- Cost of Living: 139.0%
- Population: 101,871 (2020)
Renton, Washington is one of the most expensive places to live in the state, according to recent data from Zillow.
The median home value in Renton is $788,183, which is more than twice the national median home value of $374,900.
Rents are also high in Renton, with the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment reaching $1,950 per month.
While the cost of living in Renton is high, it’s worth noting that residents earn above-average incomes.
The median household income in Renton is $79,824, compared to the national median of $67,521.