Best suburbs to live in Washington
Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Washington using data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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#29. North Bend, Washington
– Overall Rank: 2,420
– Population: 7,549
– Median household income: $171,078
– Median home value: $870,500 (73% own)
– Median rent: $1,716 (27% rent)
– Top public schools: Timber Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Snoqualmie Elementary School (grade A), Tahoma Elementary (grade A)
– Top private schools: St. Joseph Parish School (grade A), Summit Classical Christian School (grade unavailable), French Immersion School of Washington (grade unavailable)
#28. Mill Creek, Washington
– Overall Rank: 2,321
– Population: 20,797
– Median household income: $118,276
– Median home value: $777,500 (61% own)
– Median rent: $2,134 (39% rent)
– Top public schools: North Creek High School (grade A+), Cedar Wood Elementary School (grade A), Henry M. Jackson High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), Shoreline Christian School (grade A), Archbishop Murphy High School (grade A)
#27. Mirrormont, Washington
– Overall Rank: 2,317
– Population: 4,102
– Median household income: $164,000
– Median home value: $874,800 (94% own)
– Median rent: $1,310 (6% rent)
– Top public schools: Issaquah High School (grade A+), Cedar River Elementary (grade A), Liberty Senior High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Rainier Christian Schools (grade A), St. Joseph Parish School (grade A), Renton Christian School (grade unavailable)
#26. Duvall, Washington
– Overall Rank: 2,313
– Population: 8,128
– Median household income: $168,663
– Median home value: $689,800 (91% own)
– Median rent: $2,978 (9% rent)
– Top public schools: Ella Baker Elementary School (grade A+), Clara Barton Elementary School (grade A), Eagle Rock Multiage School (grade A)
– Top private schools: The Overlake School (grade A+), The Bear Creek School (grade A+), Brightmont Academy – Redmond (grade B+)
#25. Edmonds, Washington
– Overall Rank: 2,309
– Population: 42,705
– Median household income: $110,057
– Median home value: $761,300 (70% own)
– Median rent: $1,821 (30% rent)
– Top public schools: North Creek High School (grade A+), Decatur Elementary School (grade A), Robert Eagle Staff Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+), The Northwest School (grade A+)
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#24. Felida, Washington
– Overall Rank: 2,160
– Population: 10,520
– Median household income: $148,625
– Median home value: $603,500 (91% own)
– Median rent: $2,125 (9% rent)
– Top public schools: Vancouver iTech Preparatory (grade A), Vancouver School of Arts & Academics (grade A minus), Columbia River High School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School (grade A+), Cedar Tree Classical Christian School (grade A), Columbia Adventist Academy (grade A minus)
#23. Richland, Washington
– Overall Rank: 2,143
– Population: 60,867
– Median household income: $89,283
– Median home value: $365,800 (65% own)
– Median rent: $1,321 (35% rent)
– Top public schools: Hanford High School (grade A), Leona Libby Middle School (grade A), White Bluffs Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School (grade A), Liberty Christian School of the Tri-Cities (grade C+), Christ the King School (grade unavailable)
#22. West Richland, Washington
– Overall Rank: 2,081
– Population: 16,547
– Median household income: $118,093
– Median home value: $372,800 (85% own)
– Median rent: $1,393 (15% rent)
– Top public schools: Hanford High School (grade A), Leona Libby Middle School (grade A), White Bluffs Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School (grade A), Liberty Christian School of the Tri-Cities (grade C+), Christ the King School (grade unavailable)
#21. Shoreline, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,970
– Population: 58,673
– Median household income: $106,184
– Median home value: $711,500 (67% own)
– Median rent: $1,853 (33% rent)
– Top public schools: North Creek High School (grade A+), Decatur Elementary School (grade A), Northwood Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)
#20. Mukilteo, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,921
– Population: 21,365
– Median household income: $123,036
– Median home value: $760,700 (70% own)
– Median rent: $1,999 (30% rent)
– Top public schools: North Creek High School (grade A+), Mukilteo Elementary School (grade A minus), Endeavour Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), Bishop Blanchet High School (grade A+), Shoreline Christian School (grade A)
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#19. Cottage Lake, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,831
– Population: 23,233
– Median household income: $186,402
– Median home value: $1,094,000 (92% own)
– Median rent: $2,233 (8% rent)
– Top public schools: International Community School (grade A+), North Creek High School (grade A+), Redmond High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), The Bear Creek School (grade A+)
#18. Medina, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,708
– Population: 2,923
– Median household income: $244,740
– Median home value: $2,000,001 (82% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (18% rent)
– Top public schools: International School (grade A+), Bellevue High School (grade A+), Islander Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)
#17. Woodway, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,700
– Population: 1,118
– Median household income: $204,167
– Median home value: $1,550,600 (99% own)
– Median rent: $1,625 (1% rent)
– Top public schools: Robert Eagle Staff Middle School (grade A), Maplewood Parent Cooperative (grade A minus), Edmonds Woodway High School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), Bishop Blanchet High School (grade A+), Shoreline Christian School (grade A)
#16. Camas, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,583
– Population: 26,387
– Median household income: $133,829
– Median home value: $603,000 (80% own)
– Median rent: $1,798 (20% rent)
– Top public schools: Grass Valley Elementary School (grade A), Skyridge Middle School (grade A), Prune Hill Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School (grade A+), Columbia Adventist Academy (grade A minus), Portland Christian Jr/Sr High School (grade A minus)
#15. Bothell, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,572
– Population: 47,917
– Median household income: $127,944
– Median home value: $796,900 (64% own)
– Median rent: $2,174 (36% rent)
– Top public schools: North Creek High School (grade A+), Woodinville High School (grade A), Shelton View Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)
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#14. Kenmore, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,428
– Population: 23,611
– Median household income: $132,191
– Median home value: $803,000 (69% own)
– Median rent: $1,850 (31% rent)
– Top public schools: International Community School (grade A+), North Creek High School (grade A+), Shelton View Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)
#13. Bainbridge Island, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,424
– Population: 24,681
– Median household income: $151,290
– Median home value: $985,400 (81% own)
– Median rent: $1,965 (19% rent)
– Top public schools: Ordway Elementary School (grade A), Capt. Johnston Blakely Elementary School (grade A), Capt. Charles Wilkes Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: West Sound Academy (grade A), Montessori Country School (grade unavailable), Gateway Christian Schools – Eagles Campus (grade unavailable)
#12. Snoqualmie, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,215
– Population: 13,762
– Median household income: $186,353
– Median home value: $852,100 (85% own)
– Median rent: $3,000 (15% rent)
– Top public schools: Cedar River Elementary (grade A), Timber Ridge Elementary School (grade A), Snoqualmie Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Yellow Wood Academy (grade B+), Chestnut Hill Academy (grade A+), Eastside Christian School (grade A)
#11. Lake Forest Park, Washington
– Overall Rank: 1,082
– Population: 13,462
– Median household income: $152,010
– Median home value: $874,200 (80% own)
– Median rent: $1,992 (20% rent)
– Top public schools: North Creek High School (grade A+), Lockwood Elementary School (grade A), Decatur Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)
#10. Woodinville, Washington
– Overall Rank: 989
– Population: 13,301
– Median household income: $142,500
– Median home value: $917,700 (62% own)
– Median rent: $2,263 (38% rent)
– Top public schools: International Community School (grade A+), North Creek High School (grade A+), Ella Baker Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)
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#9. Kirkland, Washington
– Overall Rank: 852
– Population: 92,015
– Median household income: $135,608
– Median home value: $937,700 (62% own)
– Median rent: $2,250 (38% rent)
– Top public schools: International Community School (grade A+), International School (grade A+), Bellevue High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)
#8. Issaquah, Washington
– Overall Rank: 666
– Population: 39,400
– Median household income: $143,006
– Median home value: $891,500 (58% own)
– Median rent: $2,409 (42% rent)
– Top public schools: Skyline High School (grade A+), Issaquah High School (grade A+), Cougar Ridge Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), Seattle Academy (grade A+), The Northwest School (grade A+)
#7. Newcastle, Washington
– Overall Rank: 637
– Population: 12,931
– Median household income: $151,007
– Median home value: $1,036,200 (65% own)
– Median rent: $2,163 (35% rent)
– Top public schools: Newport High School (grade A+), International School (grade A+), Bellevue Big Picture School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), Northwest Yeshiva High School (grade A+), Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
#6. Mercer Island, Washington
– Overall Rank: 568
– Population: 25,464
– Median household income: $190,985
– Median home value: $1,683,600 (68% own)
– Median rent: $2,315 (32% rent)
– Top public schools: Bellevue High School (grade A+), Mercer Island High School (grade A+), West Mercer Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)
#5. Sammamish, Washington
– Overall Rank: 554
– Population: 66,586
– Median household income: $215,047
– Median home value: $1,139,100 (84% own)
– Median rent: $2,627 (16% rent)
– Top public schools: Tesla STEM High School (grade A+), International Community School (grade A+), Redmond High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), The Bear Creek School (grade A+)
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#4. Clyde Hill, Washington
– Overall Rank: 479
– Population: 3,108
– Median household income: $250,001
– Median home value: $2,000,001 (93% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: International School (grade A+), Bellevue High School (grade A+), Clara Barton Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)
#3. Yarrow Point, Washington
– Overall Rank: 300
– Population: 1,280
– Median household income: $250,001
– Median home value: $2,000,001 (92% own)
– Median rent: $3,501 (8% rent)
– Top public schools: International School (grade A+), Bellevue High School (grade A+), Renaissance School of Art & Reasoning (grade A)
– Top private schools: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)
#2. Bellevue, Washington
– Overall Rank: 256
– Population: 150,606
– Median household income: $149,551
– Median home value: $1,139,500 (52% own)
– Median rent: $2,422 (48% rent)
– Top public schools: Newport High School (grade A+), International Community School (grade A+), Interlake High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)
#1. Redmond, Washington
– Overall Rank: 242
– Population: 73,728
– Median household income: $155,287
– Median home value: $1,026,400 (47% own)
– Median rent: $2,299 (53% rent)
– Top public schools: Tesla STEM High School (grade A+), International Community School (grade A+), Interlake High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), Seattle Academy (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
By Stacker
