When you’re planning on shifting to Washington State, add these cities to your checklist.
House to lush landscapes, various cities, and loads of recreation and employment alternatives, Washington State has all of it. The state is usually break up into two sections, divided by the Cascade Mountains: Western Washington and Japanese Washington. The Columbia River, the fourth-largest within the nation, defines the state’s southern border.
Western Washington contains the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas, and Puget Sound. It’s the place a majority of the state’s inhabitants lives, in cities like Seattle, Bellingham, Port Angeles, and Olympia are positioned right here. The Puget Sound, San Juan islands, and Olympic Mountains adorn the panorama, together with quite a few rivers, lakes, and nationwide parks and forests.
East of the Cascades is Japanese Washington, which is drier and extra agriculture-focused. Spokane, Wenatchee, and Walla Walla name this space residence, with the Palouse hills, Lake Chelan, and Blue Mountains all widespread landmarks.
However which cities within the Evergreen State are best for you? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the most effective locations to reside in Washington, rating them on qualities corresponding to affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You could find extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
1. Seattle, WA
| Inhabitants:
755,078 |
Common Commute Time:
27.7 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$63,610 |
| Median Sale Value:
$820,000 |
Median Lease Value:
$1,990 |
Unemployment Price:
3.0% |
Seattle tops our checklist as the most effective place to reside in Washington. The town is thought for its wet climate, giant universities, revitalized waterfront, and thriving tech tradition. It’s constructed on the hills between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, and is only a ferry journey from picturesque islands.
Initially well-known for its small-city weirdness, Seattle stepped into the nationwide highlight when it hosted the World’s Truthful in 1962 and constructed the House Needle as its centerpiece. Then, music grew to become its calling card, with bands like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pink Floyd dominating the rock and music scene. Right now, the Emerald Metropolis is extra related to know-how (Amazon) and occasional (Starbucks), however you may nonetheless discover quirkiness all through Seattle’s neighborhoods, particularly in Fremont and Ballard.
Some of the interesting elements of dwelling in Seattle is the simple entry to outside recreation. You’re solely 45 minutes away from widespread hikes within the Cascade Foothills and inside an hour or so of greater than a dozen state parks, like Sprint Level State Park. Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades Nationwide Parks are additionally accessible for day journeys.
Seattle has a marine local weather and might see frequent rain from October to April. The town is at its finest throughout the late spring and early fall, when temperatures are heat and rain is much less probably. Summers might be beautiful, however a rise in wildfires, smoke, and warmth waves have made them tougher to deal with.
Seattle properties on the market | Seattle homes for hire | Seattle flats for hire
2. Spokane, WA
| Inhabitants:
229,447 |
Common Commute Time:
20.8 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$30,791 |
| Median Sale Value:
$374,990 |
Median Lease Value:
$1,413 |
Unemployment Price:
3.7% |
Spokane, the second-largest metropolis in Washington, is second on our checklist of the most effective locations to reside in Washington. Sitting at 1,843 toes above sea degree, Spokane is the hub of Japanese Washington and is recognized for its historical past, pure magnificence, and basketball.
In reality, basketball is a part of Spokane’s DNA. The town is formally referred to as Hooptown USA because of the metropolis internet hosting the annual Spokane Hoopfest, the most important 3v3 basketball match on the planet. Gonzaga College additionally calls town residence, and often makes deep runs into the NCAA March Insanity basketball match. Lilac Metropolis is Spokane’s different frequent nickname, paying homage to the annual Spokane Lilac Pageant.
Spokane has a markedly completely different local weather than Seattle. The town is positioned on the Columbia Plateau between the Columbia Basin to the west and forested Selkirk Mountains to the east. As such, it’s pretty dry, seeing 18.5 inches of annual precipitation, however experiences the complete vary of the 4 seasons. Winters are often chilly and snowy, whereas summers are sunny and might be scorching. Spokane’s climate is finest from June to September, though that is shifting later as summers get hotter.
Lastly, like many cities in Japanese Washington, wine and agriculture are an enormous a part of life. Apples are the state’s fourth-largest export, and Washington has turn out to be the second-largest wine producer within the nation. Well-known wineries in Spokane embody Barrister Vineyard and Arbor Crest Wine Cellars.
Spokane properties on the market | Spokane homes for hire | Spokane flats for hire
3. Bellingham, WA
| Inhabitants:
94,720 |
Common Commute Time:
19 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$32,419 |
| Median Sale Value:
$660,000 |
Median Lease Value:
$1,863 |
Unemployment Price:
2.9% |
Bellingham is the third-best place to reside in Washington. Simply 20 miles south of the Canadian border within the far northwest of Washington, Bellingham is a captivating coastal city with all of the facilities you anticipate of a giant metropolis. And because it’s simply 90 miles north of Seattle, it’s simple to move down for a day journey by automotive or practice with mates.
Fashionable actions in Bellingham embody visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Pageant, having fun with native artwork, or exploring Fairhaven Village within the heart of city. Western Washington College additionally calls Bellingham residence, providing a college-town really feel (and many actions) excellent for full- and part-time college students.
One of many largest perks of Bellingham is its outside recreation. The town is surrounded by lush, evergreen mountains and fertile waters, providing mountain climbing, kayaking, climbing, and infinite different adventures. Deception Cross, Lummi Island, and Larrabee State Park are a number of the hottest spots.
For mountain fanatics, Mount Baker and the North Cascades Nationwide Park are inside two hours from downtown. Watersport lovers can head all the way down to the Puget Sound or take a ferry to one of many many San Juan Islands.
Bellingham’s local weather is much like different cities within the PNW however tends to be among the many coldest. For instance, Bellingham is round 2.5°F cooler yearly than Seattle however receives about 5 fewer inches of rain. This makes summers lovely, which is good given town’s considerable outside leisure alternatives.
Bellingham properties on the market | Bellingham homes for hire | Bellingham flats for hire
4. Vancouver, WA
| Inhabitants:
196,442 |
Common Commute Time:
25.3 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$33,713 |
| Median Sale Value:
$485,000 |
Median Lease Value:
$1,884 |
Unemployment Price:
3.2% |
Vancouver is available in because the fourth-best place to reside in Washington. Generally referred to as The Couve, this suburban metropolis is positioned alongside the Columbia River on the border between Washington and Oregon, simply north of Portland.
Traditionally a small industrial city, Vancouver has grown quickly as Portland has turn out to be dearer. These looking for Portland’s life-style with out the excessive prices usually transfer to Vancouver. In consequence, it’s frequent for residents to commute over an hour to and from Portland each day over the getting older Interstate Bridge. Vancouver’s housing costs now rival or exceed these in Portland.
Vancouver is finest recognized for its waterfront, and for good purpose: They’ve spent years revitalizing it. Right now, what was once a stretch of outdated industrial buildings has turn out to be a vacationer attraction filled with lodges, eating places, and a fantastic pier. Fundamental Avenue can be a spotlight receiving a facelift. Portlanders usually make enjoyable of their northern neighbor, however Vancouver’s waterfront could rival and even outclass Portland’s McCall Waterfront.
Vancouver’s climate is similar to Portland and Seattle, seeing pretty frequent rain from October to April. Nonetheless, temperatures are usually a bit hotter than extra northern cities. Late spring and early fall see the most effective climate.
Vancouver properties on the market | Vancouver homes for hire | Vancouver flats for hire
5. Olympia, WA
| Inhabitants:
55,733 |
Common Commute Time:
21.1 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$35,914 |
| Median Sale Value:
$495,000 |
Median Lease Value:
$1,531 |
Unemployment Price:
4.3% |
Olympia is the fifth metropolis on our checklist. 60 miles south of Seattle on the southern tip of the Puget Sound, Olympia is considerably faraway from a significant metropolitan space and thus pretty quiet and secluded. It’s additionally comparatively small, offering a small-town really feel however with big-city facilities. Quaint outlets just like the Olympia Meals Co-op and Olympia Espresso are beloved native staples, whereas Costco, Goal, and different nationwide chains present name-brand items.
Because the state capital, Olympia grows and shrinks with the legislative season; on even-numbered years, classes are 60 days, whereas on odd-numbered years, they’re 105 days. Washington legislators solely work part-time, so after they aren’t in session, they usually return to their residence districts and full-time jobs.
Like many cities within the area, pure magnificence is in every single place you look – and folks like to discover it. Tumwater Historic Park, Heritage Park, and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Nationwide Wildlife Refuge are widespread choices for play and exploration. The distinctive Evergreen State School is nestled within the northwest of city, too.
Olympia properties on the market | Olympia homes for hire | Olympia flats for hire
6. Edmonds, WA
| Inhabitants:
42,701 |
Common Commute Time:
31.6 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$56,443 |
| Median Sale Value:
$1,000,000 |
Median Lease Value:
$1,677 |
Unemployment Price:
2.4% |
If Seattle feels too huge, Edmonds could also be an ideal possibility. Simply half-hour (with out visitors) north of downtown Seattle, Edmonds offers a pleasant mixture of city facilities and suburban, waterfront attraction only a stone’s throw from the Olympic Peninsula and San Juan Islands. Its coastal and mountain views are a few of its finest options.
Edmonds is thought for its quiet coastal dwelling and quaint, charming, walkable downtown. Artwork installations abound, and amphitheaters, seasonal decorations, and inexperienced areas are in every single place you look. Many residents of Edmonds select to reside there for its attraction, area, and greenery whereas working in Seattle. Commuting can take an hour or extra every method because of visitors, however many discover the trade-off worthwhile for the advantages of dwelling in Edmonds.
Among the most beloved elements of Edmonds are the Edmonds Marine Walkway, Edmonds Heart For the Arts, and Yost Park. Touring the close by wineries in Woodinville are additionally a preferred weekend possibility for locals and vacationers.
Edmonds properties on the market | Edmonds homes for hire | Edmonds flats for hire
7. Tacoma, WA
| Inhabitants:
222,906 |
Common Commute Time:
30.5 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$34,759 |
| Median Sale Value:
$465,500 |
Median Lease Value:
$1,744 |
Unemployment Price:
3.2% |
Tacoma is available in at quantity seven on our checklist of the most effective locations to reside in Washington. Recognized for its museums, parks, universities, and trade, Tacoma has one thing for everybody.
Situated on the shores of Puget Sound with views of Mount Rainier, Tacoma is a fantastic place to reside, with well-developed waterfronts and quite a few parks. Level Defiance Park, for instance, is likely one of the nation’s largest city parks and options mountain climbing, seashores, beautiful gardens, and an acclaimed zoo and aquarium.
The town can be residence to an array of landmarks and sights. You may discover native legend Dale Chihuly’s genius on the Museum of Glass, or dive into regional historical past on the Washington State Historical past Museum. The Tacoma Dome brings big-name live shows proper to the doorstep, whereas the Ruston Method waterfront gives an ideal spot for strolling or eating with views of Puget Sound.
Tacoma has lengthy been a pretty different to Seattle, significantly because of its extra reasonably priced housing and decrease dwelling prices. This financial benefit attracts many to reside in Tacoma whereas commuting to work in Seattle, providing a budget-friendly possibility with out sacrificing entry to the metropolitan space. That stated, visitors to and from Seattle alongside Interstate 5 (I-5) could be a slog, taking upwards of two hours each methods.
Tacoma properties on the market | Tacoma homes for hire | Tacoma flats for hire
8. Kirkland, WA
| Inhabitants:
91,194 |
Common Commute Time:
27.4 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$64,268 |
| Median Sale Value:
$1,425,000 |
Median Lease Value:
$2,733 |
Unemployment Price:
3.2% |
Throughout the world’s longest floating bridge (520) from Seattle, Kirkland is the eighth metropolis on our checklist of the most effective locations to reside in Washington. Kirkland is thought for being a quiet, upscale Seattle suburb with Lake Washington views and loads of facilities. Juanita Bay Park and Heritage Park are widespread parks for waterfront leisure and recreation, whereas the Kirkland Crusing Membership & Faculty and Kirkland Efficiency Heart are nice for all-ages weekend enjoyable.
There’s so much to do in Kirkland’s downtown space, too. Central Method is the principle throughway within the coronary heart of town, with boutique outlets, upscale eating places, and luxurious flats alongside the ten blocks that make up downtown. Fireside, Cactus, and Feast are widespread choices. Central Method ends at Marina Park, which is the place town’s Farmers Market is held on Wednesdays from June by September.
Because it’s solely 11 miles east of Seattle, Kirkland’s local weather is sort of similar to different cities within the space. The air smells a lot cleaner, although. Commuting might be difficult throughout the week.
Kirkland properties on the market | Kirkland homes for hire | Kirkland flats for hire
9. Renton, WA
| Inhabitants:
104,491 |
Common Commute Time:
31.8 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$40,594 |
| Median Sale Value:
$680,000 |
Median Lease Value:
$2,234 |
Unemployment Price:
2.5% |
Simply southeast of Seattle, Renton is thought for its comparatively reasonably priced dwelling and suburban really feel. Renton borders Lake Washington to the north and extends into the Cascade Foothills to the east, offering a wide range of surroundings and wonder.
The Cedar River Park Path, the Seahawk’s Virginia Mason Athletic Heart, and Boeing’s Renton campus are highlights of the realm. Boeing is an iconic PNW firm that additionally has a campus in Everett to the north, which is linked to Renton through the congested I-405.
For many years, Renton has served as an reasonably priced choice to homebuyers and renters priced out of Seattle, main many to reside in Renton and commute to Seattle. In consequence, nevertheless, Renton has grown in a short time, particularly previously 10 years, inflicting commute instances, rents, and home costs to rise. With these modifications, Renton has began shifting from an reasonably priced commuter city to a reasonably costly metropolis in its personal proper. Home costs are nonetheless far beneath Seattle’s, although, and upcoming transportation enhancements will make getting round simpler than ever.
Renton properties on the market | Renton homes for hire | Renton flats for hire
10. Bremerton, WA
| Inhabitants:
45,450 |
Common Commute Time:
26.7 minutes |
Per-Capita Earnings:
$31,624 |
| Median Sale Value:
$432,500 |
Median Lease Value:
$1,524 |
Unemployment Price:
3.1% |
A pure paradise, Bremerton, WA rounds out our checklist because the tenth-best place to reside in Washington. Bremerton is positioned about 18 miles west of Seattle alongside the Kitsap Peninsula, surrounded by the Puget Sound with views of the Olympics.
Traditionally inhabited by Coast Salish peoples, Bremerton grew to become the northwest’s preeminent naval hub within the early 1900s. Right now, Bremerton is a rising and hip metropolis with a significant navy presence, with a giant portion of residents working within the navy. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and a portion of Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) are positioned within the heart of city.
Commuting into Seattle is made attainable through two ferries: one for vehicles, and a fast-ferry for walkers and cyclists. As such, it’s pretty frequent for individuals to reside in Bremerton and work in Seattle. Commuters nonetheless spend at the least an hour daily on the ferry (2+ hours for vehicles), however extra reasonably priced housing is a good commerce off. Home costs are about half as costly as Seattle, that means you may get million-dollar water views for a fraction of the fee.
Other than reasonably priced housing and the navy, there’s a lot to like about Bremerton. Foodwise, native eateries like Lola, H&B, and Khao Soi are nice for lunch or dinner. For occasions, The Charleston hosts reside music Thursday-Saturday evenings, whereas the Manette Saloon gives a wine and martini lounge with music and trivia. Lastly, the outside supply one thing for everybody: Seashores, mountains, trails, parks, and extra are all inside an hour’s drive.
Bremerton properties on the market | Bremerton homes for hire | Bremerton flats for hire
Methodology
Redfin’s Finest Locations to Reside rankings are supposed to assist residence searchers make an knowledgeable determination when selecting the place to reside. To aim to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes under consideration a number of key elements, together with entry to healthcare, open outside area, navigability, housing developments, employment statistics, earnings, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of 20,000 or larger have been thought-about for our Washington checklist. Extra details about our methodology might be discovered right here.
Information legitimate January 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
