As the birthplace of Starbucks and home to the oldest continuously operating farmer’s market in the country, it’s no wonder about 740,000 people live in Seattle. If you’re considering buying a home in Seattle, you can expect the median home sale price to be $799,995. Or, if you’re looking at apartments for rent in Seattle, the average rent for a 1 bedroom is $2,262 and a 2 bedroom is $3,362. If those prices are out of your budget, don’t worry. There are plenty of affordable Seattle suburbs near the city that may be a great fit for you and your household.
As you begin to search for your dream home or apartment, be sure to consider these 10 affordable suburbs all within driving distance of Seattle. That way you can explore all Seattle has to offer, from Pike Place Market to Lake Union, without having to pay the premium of living there.
#1: SeaTac, WA
Median home price: $500,000
Driving distance from Seattle: 25 minutes
SeaTac, WA homes for sale
SeaTac, WA apartments for rent
With a population of 31,454, SeaTac clinches the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Seattle suburb to live in. The median sale price of a home in SeaTac is nearly $300,000 less than Seattle and under 30 minutes away from downtown. Living in SeaTac, you’ll be close to SeaTac Airport for all your future travels and close to Angle Lake and Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden for scenic nature views.
Your future home is just a tap away
Explore homes with the Redfin app anytime, anywhere.
#2: Des Moines, WA
Your future home is just a tap away
Median home price: $557,500
Driving distance from Seattle: 25 minutes
Des Moines, WA homes for sale
Des Moines, WA apartments for rent
Des Moines, Washington is the second best affordable suburb on the list. This suburb is the same distance from Seattle as SeaTac, you can easily drive to The Emerald City in no time. Notable places to visit in Des Moines are Saltwater State Park, where you can take in the views of the Puget Sound, and MaST Center Aquarium. When living in this suburb of 32,888 people, you can also spend time exploring the six miles of shoreline.
#3: White Center, WA
Median home price: $573,250
Driving distance from Seattle: 20 minutes
White Center, WA homes for sale
White Center, WA apartments for rent
Driving 20 minutes south of the city will land you in the suburb of White Center. With a population of 16,631, you’ll have a small town feel while still being able to explore Seattle in your free time. Due to its close proximity to Seattle, White Center is also a great place to live if you need to make a daily or weekly commute into the city center.
#4: Burien, WA
Median home price: $575,000
Driving distance from Seattle: 25 minutes
Burien, WA homes for sale
Burien, WA apartments for rent
Slightly more expensive than White Center, Burien lands the fourth spot on our list. About 52,066 people live in this Seattle suburb, where you’ll find Seahurst Park. While at Seahurst Park, make sure to explore the hiking trails or have an afternoon picnic at the beach. Don’t miss checking out the six miles of shoreline that Burien has to offer.
#5: Kent, WA
Median home price: $580,000
Driving distance from Seattle: 25 minutes
Kent, WA homes for sale
Kent, WA apartments for rent
Drive 25 minutes outside of Seattle and you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Kent. With 136,588 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Seattle, without paying the premium for a home there. In Kent, you’ll find views of Mt. Rainier and the Green River. Don’t forget to stop by the Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum or take a jog through Lake Fenwick Park.
#6: Tukwila, WA
Median home price: $599,000
Driving distance from Seattle: 20 minutes
Tukwila, WA homes for sale
Tukwila, WA apartments for rent
Another well-known suburb of Seattle is Tukwila, where the home prices are about $200,000 less than in the city. Tukwila has about 21,798 residents and is a great suburb to consider moving to. From The Museum of Flight to the city’s 17 parks, there’s something for everyone in Tukwila.
#7: Mountlake Terrace, WA
Median home price: $600,000
Driving distance from Seattle: 20 minutes
Mountlake Terrace, WA homes for sale
Mountlake Terrace, WA apartments for rent
Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable Seattle suburbs is Mountlake Terrace, which is roughly 20 minutes away from the city center. With a population of 21,286, relocating to Mountlake Terrace will give you a small town feel with a charming downtown, while still being close to Seattle. If you’re going to call this affordable suburb home, plan time to explore Ballinger Park and head to the Tour de Terrace festival during the summer.
#8: Renton, WA
Median home price: $647,500
Driving distance from Seattle: 25 minutes
Renton, WA homes for sale
Renton, WA apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in Seattle for a while, chances are you know of someone who has moved to Renton. About 106,785 residents call this affordable city home, so you’ll have a fraction of Seattle’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Once you move to Renton, make sure to visit the Jimi Hendrix Memorial, walk along the trails at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, and swim in the wave pool at Henry Moses Aquatic Center.
#9: Shoreline, WA
Median home price: $732,000
Distance from Seattle: 20 minutes
Shoreline, WA homes for sale
Shoreline, WA apartments for rent
About 58,608 people live in this affordable small suburban town, but you’ll be surrounded by areas to explore in your free time. Popular things to do in Shoreline include exploring its many parks such as Echo Lake Park, Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, and Boeing Creek Park.
#10: Edmonds, WA
Median home price: $768,500
Driving distance from Seattle: 30 minutes
Edmonds, WA homes for sale
Edmonds, WA apartments for rent
Edmonds takes the last spot on our list of best affordable Seattle suburbs you’ll want to consider moving to. If you’re lucky to avoid traffic, it will only take about 30 minutes to drive into the heart of Seattle. This suburb has a population of 42,853, making it significantly less than Seattle’s population. Home to Cascadia Art Museum, Marina Beach Park, and Edmonds Ferry Terminal, you’ll have plenty of activities to explore during your free time. If you’re not sure about buying your first home, you can check out the most affordable Seattle suburbs to rent an apartment.
Affordable things to do in Seattle
1. Jimi Hendrix Park
“Jimi Hendrix Park and Jimi Hendrix’s high school neighborhood are located in the Central District, Seattle. You can find Jimi’s high school Garfield there,” suggests the Northwest African American Museum. “Also, a local tip: Take the S Columbian Way exit from I-5 and resume the trip on Rainier Ave to pass by Franklin High School, where Bruce Lee attended.”
2. Pike Place Market
“One of my favorite things to do in Seattle is to stroll through the 108-year-old farmer’s Pike Place Market and enjoy fresh food,” recommends The Van Escape. “Here you can get delicious sandwiches, fish or seafood tapas. It’s an excellent place for an inexpensive lunch. For an evening activity, I recommend admiring the sunset from Kerry Park. It offers a breathtaking view of the city skyline, with the Space Needle and Mount Rainier in the background.
3. First Thursday art walk
“Seattle’s First Thursday is the longest running art walk in the country and it is free to attend each month in historic Pioneer Square,” mentions Foster/White Gallery. “Meet artists and tap into the visual arts scene. Listings for other monthly art walks in Seattle are at SEArtnow and Seattle Art Dealers Association.”
4. Second Thursday art walk
“Our favorite free thing to do in West Seattle is strolling the Second Thursday Art Walk that runs from Admiral through Morgan Junctions, with over 50 participating locations. Discover a new favorite artist and get to know your local businesses in a new way. We also feature food & drink discounts so that folks can enjoy their art with affordable sips and nibbles,” recommends West Seattle Art Walk.
5. Big Day of Play
“Big Day of Play is a free summer event celebrating Seattle’s diversity. It encourages neighbors, communities, and families to have fun, build relationships and be active,” recommends Associated Recreation Council.
6. Historic Pioneer Square
“One of my favorite affordable, budget-friendly things to do in Seattle is visit the Historic Pioneer Square Neighborhood and all the local art galleries,” suggests Gray Sky Gallery. “My favorite place is Gray Sky Gallery, a contemporary art gallery displaying the work of a diverse group of 35 local Seattle artists working in various mediums such as acrylic, oil, encaustic, resin, mixed media, wood, ceramics, wire, and blown glass.”
Methodology: Affordability based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Seattle and under a 30-minute drive from downtown Seattle. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during October 2021. Average rental data from Rent.com May 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau
Learn more about Seattle:
12 Fun Seattle Facts: How Well Do You Know Your City?
What is Seattle Known For? 22 Ways to Get to Know The Emerald City
10 Affordable Seattle Suburbs to Consider Buying a Home In
14 Unique Things to do in Seattle That Every Seattleite Should Know About
People Leaving Seattle Are Looking to Move to These 10 Cities
9 Cities Near Seattle to Buy or Rent in this Year
United States
Canada