City Guide
Seattle, WA
Overview
Seattle, WA, is famous for its coffee culture, grunge music scene, outdoor activities, and rain. There are around 737,000 residents living in Seattle, making it one of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle's name comes from the native Chief Seattle, who was a prominent Native American leader for the Suquamish and Duwamish peoples. Seattle is home to many large companies, including Nintendo, Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks.
What’s it like to live in Seattle, WA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Seattle, WA you'll find that the median sale price is
$856,950
and homes stay on the market for 9 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in Seattle are $1,100,000
and $535,000
, respectively. Seattle area townhouses have a median sale price of $782,475
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Seattle, WAExplore our Seattle housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how Seattle home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Seattle rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Seattle rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Seattle, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around Seattle
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Anne | $1,025,000 | 84 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Magnolia | $1,010,000 | 84 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Ballard | $846,000 | 84 / 100 | 90 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Green Lake | $1,032,500 | 92 / 100 | 84 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| West Seattle | $750,000 | 87 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
Seattle Articles & Neighborhood Content
Read more on the Redfin blog
Popular homes for sale in Seattle
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Seattle
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
What is the cost of living in Seattle?
The cost of living in Seattle is 45% higher than the national average. Housing is typically the largest expense for most American households. In Seattle, the average monthly rent is $3,259, while the median home price is $878,000. Overall, housing in Seattle is 104% higher than the national average. Groceries, like produce, dry goods, and other essential household items, cost 10% higher in Seattle. Though healthcare costs 28% higher in Seattle compared to the national average, costs vary greatly by location, person, personal health, and health insurance. In Seattle, an optometry check-up costs around $179.39, while a dentist appointment is $157.05 on average. Learn more about the cost of living in Seattle. Discover how utilities, transportation, and lifestyle, compares against the national average.
Compared to the national average
45%
Cost of living
104%
Home prices
Cost of living calculator
Compare cities across the U.S.
Seattle Migration & Relocation Trends
In Jan '25 - Mar '25, 23% of Seattle homebuyers searched to move out of Seattle, while 77% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 3% of homebuyers searched to move into Seattle from outside metros.
- Spokane homebuyers searched to move into Seattle more than any other metro followed by San Francisco and Houston.
Where are people moving to Seattle from?
- 77% of Seattle homebuyers searched to stay within the Seattle metropolitan area.
- Phoenix was the most popular destination among Seattle homebuyers followed by Portland and Bellingham.
Where are people from Seattle moving to?
Number of People Moving to Seattle
least
most
People are moving to Seattle from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 1,280 | ||
| 2 | 855 | ||
| 3 | 415 | ||
| 4 | 167 | ||
| 5 | 82 | ||
| 6 | 74 | ||
| 7 | 10 | ||
| 8 | 7 | ||
| 9 | 6 | ||
| 10 | 5 | ||
People are leaving Seattle for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 5,120 | ||
| 2 | 3,603 | ||
| 3 | 2,684 | ||
| 4 | 2,412 | ||
| 5 | 2,245 | ||
| 6 | 2,033 | ||
| 7 | 1,391 | ||
| 8 | 1,227 | ||
| 9 | 1,180 | ||
| 10 | 1,026 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in Seattle, WA ?
Seattle, WA, is home to many outdoor activities like watching the sunset at one of its many parks, indoor activities like concerts and museums, and enjoying a bite to eat at a classic Pacific Northwest restaurant. With 79 museums, including The Museum of Flight, Museum of Pop Culture, and Seattle Art Museum, there's always something new to see. Whether you're enjoying the views atop the Space Needle or catching a show at Benaroya Hall or The Showbox, the list of things to do in Seattle is endless. And make sure to take a walk or have a picnic at Volunteer Park, Seward Park, or Gas Works Park - just a handful of the beautiful parks and green spaces in the city. Order some freshly grilled salmon at Ivar's Salmon House, try one-of-a-kind pizza at Serious Pie, or visit one of the many local coffee shops or breweries for a taste of Seattle.
Explore some of the best things to do in Seattle
What's the best way to get around Seattle, WA ?
The best way to get around Seattle is by foot, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Seattle has a walk score of 74, meaning this area is very walkable. Another way to get around the city is by public transportation. Seattle has a transit score of 60, with many nearby public transportation options. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 98104, 98101 and 98109. You can also get around Seattle by bike. With a bike score of 71, it's convenient to use a bike for most trips.
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Good Transit
Transit Score®
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Seattle Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Seattle has 25 heavy rail stations; King Street Station, Seattle Center Monorail, Stadium Station, Westlake Station Monorail, Columbia City Station, International District/Chinatown Station, Mount Baker Station, Link Light Rail - Rainier Beach Station, Beacon Hill Station, University Street Station. This allows you to use heavy rail to commute in and out of the city from the surrounding area and even travel to other cities.
Tram Station
Seattle has 8 tram stops. There are few tram lines, which means it is difficult to use them to commute.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Marine Terminals & Ferries
Seattle has 1 marine terminal; Seattle Ferry Terminal. There are a few ferry lines, which are good for a day trip to a handful of places in the area.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 57 car rental locations. Renting a bike is another good way to get around. There are 4 bike rental locations.
Airports
Seattle has 1 airport which allows you to easily travel.
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