Often called “City in a Park,” Bellevue, WA, is an iconic Pacific Northwest city situated across Lake Washington from Seattle. Bellevue is home to 151,900 people and is known for its array of outdoor activities and its thriving tech industry.
As you begin your homebuying or renting journey, there are four things you should know. The housing market is very competitive, the median home sale price is $1,300,000, the average sale price per square foot is $595, and the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment in Bellevue is $3,641.
Don’t worry if those prices don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. We’ve collected a list of the 10 best affordable Bellevue suburbs. And they’re all less than 25 minutes away from the city. No matter where you live, you’ll still be close enough to Bellevue to explore the city’s great neighborhoods without the price of living there.
#1: Renton
Median home price: $699,000
Average sale price per square foot: $384
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $3,034
Driving distance from Bellevue: 20 minutes
Renton, WA homes for sale
Renton, WA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $699,000, Renton claims the first spot on our list of affordable Bellevue suburbs. About 106,800 people live in this suburban area, and you’ll only be about a 20-minute drive from downtown Bellevue. If you’re considering moving to Renton, visit the Renton History Museum to learn about the city and check out Liberty Park to enjoy the flowers and greenery.
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#2: Kenmore
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Median home price: $866,450
Average sale price per square foot: $447
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,845
Driving distance from Bellevue: 20 minutes
Kenmore, WA homes for sale
Kenmore, WA apartments for rent
Taking the second spot on our list is Kenmore. The same distance from Bellevue as Renton, you can visit the Bellevue Arts Museum and Bellevue Botanical Garden in just a quick drive. Some popular things to explore in Kenmore include walking along the shore of Lake Washington, visiting Saint Edward State Park, or grabbing a bite at one of Kenmore’s many restaurants.
#3: Bothell
Median home price: $885,000
Average sale price per square foot: $463
Driving distance from Bellevue: 20 minutes
Bothell, WA homes for sale
Bothell, WA apartments for rent
Drive just 20 minutes north of Bellevue, and you’ll reach Bothell, another great suburb. From parks and outdoor recreation to supporting local businesses, there are lots of things that make Bothell a great place to live. Make sure to explore the University of Washington Bothell campus, visit the North Creek wetland preserve, and check out the local shops and restaurants in downtown Bothell.
#4: Issaquah
Median home price: $1,042,500
Average sale price per square foot: $499
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,465
Driving distance from Bellevue: 20 minutes
Issaquah, WA homes for sale
Issaquah, WA apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Bothell is none other than Issaquah. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in this Bellevue suburb. Make sure to visit Cougar Mountain Zoo and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, hike up Tiger Mountain, or spend a sunny day at Lake Sammamish State Park.
#5: Kirkland
Median home price: $1,075,000
Average sale price per square foot: $641
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,995
Driving distance from Bellevue: 15 minutes
Kirkland, WA homes for sale
Kirkland, WA apartments for rent
15 minutes from downtown Bellevue is Kirkland, another great suburb to consider moving to. Home to 92,200 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for people looking to remain close to Bellevue without paying the price for a home in the city. Living in Kirkland, you can visit the Kirkland waterfront, explore charming Downtown Kirkland, and grab a beer or bite to eat at one of the many local breweries and restaurants.
#6: Redmond
Median home price: $1,185,000
Average sale price per square foot: $608
Driving distance from Bellevue: 15 minutes
Redmond, WA homes for sale
Redmond, WA apartments for rent
Another well-known Bellevue suburb is Redmond, where the median home sale price is about $115K less than in Bellevue. Redmond has about 73,300 residents and is a great suburb to consider moving to. There are lots of activities to keep you busy in Redmond. You can take a tour of the Microsoft campus, walk or bike ride through Marymoor Park or catch a concert during the summer, visit the Redmond Town Center, and check out the Sammamish River Trail.
#7: Cottage Lake
Median home price: $1,200,000
Average sale price per square foot: $475
Driving distance from Bellevue: 25 minutes
Cottage Lake, WA homes for sale
Cottage Lake, WA apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable Bellevue suburbs is Cottage Lake, which is almost a 25-minute drive into downtown. With a population of close to 22,900, living in Cottage Lake is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Bellevue. If you’re going to call this area home, plan to visit Cottage Lake Park and take a stroll through the beautiful woods, have a picnic at the Cottage Lake Beach, or go fishing, kayaking, or canoeing at Cottage Lake.
#8: Woodinville
Median home price: $1,200,000
Average sale price per square foot: $479
Driving distance from Bellevue: 20 minutes
Woodinville, WA homes for sale
Woodinville, WA apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in or around Bellevue for a while, chances are you know of our eighth suburb – Woodinville. This affordable area is home to about 13,100 residents, so you’ll have a fraction of Bellevue’s population while remaining only 20 minutes from the city. Visit one of the countless wineries and breweries in the area, like Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery or Redhook Brewery, take a walk through Hollywood Hills Park, or check out one of the parks along Sammamish River once living in Woodinville.
#9: Union Hill-Novelty Hill
Median home price: $1,270,000
Average sale price per square foot: $550
Driving distance from Bellevue: 25 minutes
Union Hill-Novelty Hill, WA homes for sale
Union Hill-Novelty Hill, WA apartments for rent
A great place to consider moving to that will get you access to downtown Bellevue in just about 25 minutes is Union Hill-Novelty Hill. Close to 22,700 people live in this suburb, but there are plenty of things to do in Union Hill-Novelty Hill.
#10: Sammamish
Median home price: $1,345,000
Average sale price per square foot: $535
Driving distance from Bellevue: 25 minutes
Sammamish, WA homes for sale
Sammamish, WA apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of affordable Bellevue suburbs is Sammamish. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in Bellevue in roughly 25 minutes. This suburb has a population of 67,500, and there are countless things to do, like taking a walk along the Sammamish River Trail and having a picnic at Pine Lake Park. Make sure to enjoy all that Lake Sammamish offers – fishing, swimming, boating, paddle boarding, and more. You’ll have plenty of activities to explore while living in this charming town.
Affordable things to do in Bellevue
1. Bellevue Botanical Garden
“Our favorite free activity in Bellevue, WA, is a stroll at the Bellevue Botanical Garden,” recommends Copper Kettle Coffee Bar. “Appreciate the most dazzling floral displays, submerge yourself in the calming nature, and enjoy a cup of carefully crafted coffee to complete the oasis experience.”
2. Surrey Downs Park
“Our favorite thing to do near Cerasa Apartments is taking a quick 12-minute walk over to Surrey Downs Park,” suggests Cerasa Apartments. “The park has beautiful grounds, a playground, and many park benches perfect for an afternoon outing with family and friends.”
3. Kelsey Creek Farm
“My favorite affordable thing to do in Bellevue is look at farm animals at Kelsey Creek Farm,” recommends Shan Lu Photography. “It’s free; they have horses, goats, chickens, etc. Along with large, empty spaces for biking and running, forests, and beautiful lawns for picnics. There’s also a playground area that the younger kids love. And make sure you attend seasonal events like sheep shearing and the pumpkin festival.”
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Bellevue and under a 25-minute drive from downtown Bellevue. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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