{"id":93807,"date":"2025-04-22T15:35:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T22:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=93807"},"modified":"2025-04-22T15:17:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T22:17:29","slug":"best-places-to-live-in-washington-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-washington\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Best Places to Live in Washington State in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-if-you-re-planning-on-moving-to-washington-state-add-these-cities-to-your-list\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re planning on moving to Washington State, add these cities to your list.<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home to lush landscapes, diverse cities, and plenty of recreation and employment opportunities, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/state\/Washington\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washington State<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has it all. The state is often split into two sections, divided by the Cascade Mountains: Western Washington and Eastern Washington. The Columbia River, the fourth-largest in the country, defines the state\u2019s southern border.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Washington includes the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas, and Puget Sound. It\u2019s where a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psrc.org\/media\/4942\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">majority of the state\u2019s population<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lives, in cities like Seattle, Bellingham, Port Angeles, and Olympia are located here. The Puget Sound, San Juan islands, and Olympic Mountains adorn the landscape, along with numerous rivers, lakes, and national parks and forests.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">East of the Cascades is Eastern Washington, which is drier and more agriculture-focused. Spokane, Wenatchee, and Walla Walla call this area home, with the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sevenwondersofwashingtonstate.com\/the-palouse.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palouse hills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Lake Chelan, and Blue Mountains all popular landmarks.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But which cities in the Evergreen State are right for you? In this Redfin article, we\u2019ve uncovered the best places to live in Washington, ranking them on qualities such as affordability, navigability, and number of amenities. You can find more information about our methodology <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-methodology\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or at the bottom of the article.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-best-places-to-live-in-washington\"><b>The best places to live in Washington<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-1-seattle-wa\">Seattle, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-2-spokane-wa\">Spokane, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-3-bellingham-wa\">Bellingham, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-4-vancouver-wa\">Vancouver, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-5-olympia-wa\">Olympia, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-6-edmonds-wa\">Edmonds, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-7-tacoma-wa\">Tacoma, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-8-kirkland-wa\">Kirkland, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-9-renton-wa\">Renton, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#h-10-bremerton-wa\">Bremerton, WA<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"bremerton-wa\" class=\"wp-image-98264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-seattle-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Seattle, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">755,078<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$830,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,085<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">26.6 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.0%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seattle tops our list as the best place to live in Washington. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-seattle-known-for\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city is known<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for its rainy weather, large universities, revitalized waterfront, and thriving tech culture. It\u2019s built on the hills between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, and is just a ferry ride from picturesque islands.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Originally famous for its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kuow.org\/stories\/is-seattle-still-weird-today-so-far\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">small-city weirdness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Seattle stepped into the national spotlight when it hosted the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattle.gov\/cityarchives\/exhibits-and-education\/digital-document-libraries\/century-21-worlds-fair\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World\u2019s Fair in 1962<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceneedle.com\/about\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">built the Space Needle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as its centerpiece. Then, music became its calling card, with bands like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pink Floyd dominating the rock and music scene. Today, the Emerald City is more associated with technology (Amazon) and coffee (Starbucks), but you can still find quirkiness throughout <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/seattle-wa-neighborhoods\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seattle&#8217;s neighborhoods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/seattle-wa-neighborhoods\/fremont\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fremont<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/seattle-wa-neighborhoods\/ballard\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ballard<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most appealing parts of living in Seattle is the easy access to outdoor recreation. You\u2019re only 45 minutes away from popular hikes in the Cascade Foothills and within an hour or so of more than a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/waparks.org\/interactive-state-park-map\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dozen state parks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, like Dash Point State Park. Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks are also accessible for day trips.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seattle has a marine climate and can see <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/rainiest-cities-in-the-us\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">frequent rain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from October to April. The city is at its best during the late spring and early fall, when temperatures are warm and rain is less likely. Summers can be gorgeous, but an increase in wildfires, smoke, and heat waves have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/opinion\/a-perfect-seattle-summer-is-no-longer-a-given\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">made them harder to handle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16163\/WA\/Seattle\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Seattle homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/seattle-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Seattle houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Seattle\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Seattle apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"651\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-157693965-1.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Spokane\" class=\"wp-image-82309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-157693965-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-157693965-1-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-157693965-1-1024x556.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-157693965-1-768x417.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-157693965-1-276x150.jpg 276w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-157693965-1-1161x630.jpg 1161w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-157693965-1-553x300.jpg 553w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-spokane-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Spokane, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">229,447<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$420,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,210<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21.2 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.7%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spokane, the second-largest city in Washington, is second on our list of the best places to live in Washington. Sitting at 1,843 feet above sea level, Spokane is the hub of Eastern Washington and is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-spokane-known-for\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">known for<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its history, natural beauty, and basketball.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, basketball <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/fun-facts-about-spokane\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is part of Spokane\u2019s DNA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The city is officially known as Hooptown USA due to the city hosting the annual <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spokanehoopfest.net\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spokane Hoopfest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the largest 3v3 basketball tournament in the world. Gonzaga University also calls the city home, and usually makes deep runs into the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/march-madness\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NCAA March Madness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> basketball tournament. Lilac City is Spokane\u2019s other common nickname, paying homage to the annual <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/spokanelilacfestival.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spokane Lilac Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spokane has a markedly different climate than Seattle. The city is located on the Columbia Plateau between the Columbia Basin and forested Selkirk Mountains. As such, it\u2019s fairly dry, seeing 18.5 inches of annual precipitation, but experiences the full range of the four seasons. Winters are usually cold and snowy, while summers are sunny and can be hot. Spokane&#8217;s weather is best from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitspokane.com\/trip-planning\/weather\/#:~:text=The%20best%20time%20of%20year,in%20the%2040%2D50%20range.\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">June to September<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, although this is shifting later as summers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/stories\/2024\/sep\/18\/spokane-just-sweltered-thought-the-citys-third-hot\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get warmer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, like many cities in Eastern Washington, wine and agriculture are a huge part of life. Apples are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/agr.wa.gov\/departments\/business-and-marketing-support\/international\/statistics\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">state\u2019s fourth-largest export<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and Washington has become the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitspokane.com\/food-drink\/wineries\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">second-largest wine producer in the country<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Famous wineries in Spokane include Barrister Winery and Arbor Crest Wine Cellars.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/17154\/WA\/Spokane\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Spokane homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/spokane-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Spokane houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/spokane\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Spokane apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bellingham_GettyImages-157609834-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"bellingham waterfront in washington_getty\" class=\"wp-image-79905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bellingham_GettyImages-157609834-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bellingham_GettyImages-157609834-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bellingham_GettyImages-157609834-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bellingham_GettyImages-157609834-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bellingham_GettyImages-157609834-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bellingham_GettyImages-157609834-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bellingham_GettyImages-157609834.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-bellingham-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Bellingham, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">94,720<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$620,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,905<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18.7 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.9%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bellingham is the third-best place to live in Washington. Just 20 miles south of the Canadian border in the far northwest of Washington, Bellingham is a charming coastal town with all the amenities you expect of a big city. And since it\u2019s just 90 miles north of Seattle, it\u2019s easy to head down for a day trip by car or train with friends.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Popular activities in Bellingham include visiting the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tulipfestival.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skagit Valley Tulip Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, enjoying local art, or exploring Fairhaven Village in the center of town. Western Washington University also calls Bellingham home, offering a college-town feel (and lots of activities) perfect for full- and part-time students.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest perks of Bellingham is its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bellingham.org\/adventure\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outdoor recreation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The city is surrounded by lush, evergreen mountains and fertile waters, offering hiking, kayaking, climbing, and endless other adventures. Deception Pass, Lummi Island, and Larrabee State Park are some of the most popular spots.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For mountain enthusiasts, Mount Baker and the North Cascades National Park are within two hours from downtown. Watersport lovers can head down to the Puget Sound or take a ferry to one of the many San Juan Islands.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bellingham\u2019s climate is similar to other cities in the PNW but tends to be among the coldest. For example, Bellingham is around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/us-climate-normals\/#dataset=normals-annualseasonal&amp;timeframe=30&amp;location=WA&amp;station=USW00024233\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5\u00b0F cooler annually<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than Seattle but receives about five fewer inches of rain. This makes summers beautiful, which is ideal given the city\u2019s abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/1411\/WA\/Bellingham\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Bellingham homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/bellingham-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Bellingham houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Bellingham\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Bellingham apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"944\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2295133539-944x630.jpg\" alt=\"vancouver-wa\" class=\"wp-image-93814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2295133539-944x630.jpg 944w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2295133539-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2295133539-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2295133539-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2295133539-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2295133539-449x300.jpg 449w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2295133539.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-vancouver-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Vancouver, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">196,442<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$460,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,760<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23.4 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.2%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vancouver comes in as the fourth-best place to live in Washington. Commonly (although <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vancouverisawesome.com\/local-news\/vangroovy-vancouver-readers-share-their-ideas-for-vancouvers-nickname-3953378\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">begrudgingly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) called \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vancouverisawesome.com\/history\/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-vancouvers-8445999\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Couve<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d this suburban city is located along the Columbia River on the border between Washington and Oregon, just north of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/30772\/OR\/Portland\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historically a small industrial town, Vancouver <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kgw.com\/article\/entertainment\/television\/programs\/straight-talk\/vancouver-mayor-city-growth\/283-dcdd3f36-0de4-4317-a4db-ac8c77ddc8df\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has grown rapidly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as Portland has become more expensive. Those seeking Portland&#8217;s lifestyle without the high costs often move to Vancouver. As a result, it&#8217;s common for residents to commute over an hour to and from Portland daily over the aging <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interstatebridge.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interstate Bridge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/18823\/WA\/Vancouver\/housing-market\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vancouver&#8217;s housing prices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now rival or exceed those in Portland.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-vancouver-wa-known-for\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vancouver is best known for<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its waterfront, and for good reason: They\u2019ve spent years <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kgw.com\/article\/news\/local\/vancouver\/vancouver-waterfront-development-business-public-destination\/283-9272a589-2610-494c-8160-09c7e4b7b7d7#:~:text=VANCOUVER%2C%20Wash.,where%20people%20want%20to%20be.\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">revitalizing it<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Today, what used to be a stretch of old industrial buildings <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wweek.com\/news\/2023\/01\/04\/portland-is-wasting-its-waterfront-mimic-vancouver-washington-not-bc\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has become<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a tourist attraction full of hotels, restaurants, and a beautiful pier. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitvancouverwa.com\/trip-planning\/neighborhoods\/downtown\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Main Street<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also a highlight <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beheardvancouver.org\/mainstreetpromise\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">receiving a facelift<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Portlanders often make fun of their northern neighbor, but Vancouver\u2019s waterfront may rival or even outclass Portland\u2019s McCall Waterfront.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vancouver\u2019s weather is very similar to Portland and Seattle, seeing fairly frequent rain from October to April. However, temperatures tend to be a bit warmer than more northern cities. Late spring and early fall see the best weather.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/18823\/WA\/Vancouver\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Vancouver homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/vancouver-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Vancouver houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Vancouver\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Vancouver apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1361184380.jpg\" alt=\"olympia-wa\" class=\"wp-image-93812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1361184380.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1361184380-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1361184380-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1361184380-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1361184380-267x150.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1361184380-1120x630.jpg 1120w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1361184380-533x300.jpg 533w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-olympia-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Olympia, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">55,733<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$536,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,500<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20.5 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4.3%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olympia is the fifth city on our list. 60 miles south of Seattle at the southern tip of the Puget Sound, Olympia is somewhat removed from a major metropolitan area and thus fairly quiet and secluded. It\u2019s also relatively small, providing a small-town feel but with big-city amenities. Quaint shops like the Olympia Food Co-op and Olympia Coffee are beloved local staples, while Costco, Target, and other national chains provide name-brand goods.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the state capital, Olympia grows and shrinks with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/leg.wa.gov\/legislature\/Pages\/Overview.aspx\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legislative season<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. On even-numbered years, sessions are 60 days, while on odd-numbered years, they are 105 days. Washington legislators only work part-time, so when they aren\u2019t in session, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.knkx.org\/other-news\/2017-01-30\/unpacking-government-why-does-washington-state-have-a-part-time-legislature\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they often return<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to their home districts and full-time jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like many cities in the region, natural beauty is everywhere you look \u2013 and people love to explore it. Tumwater Historical Park, Heritage Park, and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge are popular options for play and exploration. The unique <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.evergreen.edu\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evergreen State College<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is nestled in the northwest of town, too. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/13223\/WA\/Olympia\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Olympia homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/olympia-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Olympia houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Olympia\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Olympia apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2009724110.jpg\" alt=\"edmonds-wa\" class=\"wp-image-93813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2009724110.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2009724110-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2009724110-1024x484.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2009724110-768x363.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2009724110-600x284.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-edmonds-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Edmonds, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">42,701<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$900,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,700<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">27.6 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.4%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Seattle feels too big, Edmonds may be a great option. Just 30 minutes (without traffic) north of downtown Seattle, Edmonds provides a nice mix of urban amenities and quiet waterfront charm. A stone\u2019s throw from the Olympics and San Juans, its coastal and mountain views are among the best in the state.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-edmonds-wa-known-for\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edmonds is known for<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its quiet coastal living and quaint, charming, walkable downtown. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/exploreedmonds.com\/blog\/post\/what-is-edmonds-known-for\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Art installations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> abound, and amphitheaters, seasonal decorations, and green spaces appear everywhere you look. Many residents choose to live in Edmonds for its charm, space, and greenery, while working in Seattle. Commuting can take an hour or more each way due to traffic, but some find the trade-off worthwhile for the benefits of living in Edmonds.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the city\u2019s most beloved sites are the Edmonds Marine Walkway, Edmonds Center For the Arts, and Yost Park. Touring the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/woodinvillewinecountry.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wineries in Woodinville<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also a popular weekend option for locals and tourists.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/5357\/WA\/Edmonds\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Edmonds homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/edmonds-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Edmonds houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Edmonds\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Edmonds apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-86487444-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Tacoma and Mount Rainier\" class=\"wp-image-80426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-86487444-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-86487444-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-86487444-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-86487444-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-86487444-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-86487444-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-86487444.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-tacoma-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Tacoma, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">222,906<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$569,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,850<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">29 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.2%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tacoma comes in at number seven on our list of the best places to live in Washington. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-tacoma-wa-known-for\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Known for<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its museums, parks, universities, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jobcarrmuseum.org\/blog\/commencement-bay-the-natural-economy-of-tacoma-part-i\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">industry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Tacoma has something for everyone.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located on the shores of Puget Sound with views of Mount Rainier, Tacoma is a beautiful place to live, with well-developed waterfronts and numerous parks. Point Defiance Park, for example, is one of the country&#8217;s largest urban parks and features hiking, beaches, stunning gardens, and an acclaimed zoo and aquarium.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city is also home to an array of landmarks and attractions. You can explore local legend <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chihuly.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dale Chihuly\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> genius at the Museum of Glass, or dive into regional history at the Washington State History Museum. The Tacoma Dome brings big-name concerts right to your doorstep, while the Ruston Way waterfront offers a perfect spot for walking or dining with views of Puget Sound.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tacoma has long been an attractive alternative to Seattle, particularly due to its more affordable housing and lower living costs. This economic advantage draws many to live in Tacoma while commuting to work in Seattle, offering a budget-friendly option without sacrificing access to the metropolitan area. That said, traffic to and from Seattle along Interstate 5 (I-5) can be a slog, taking upwards of two hours both ways. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/17887\/WA\/Tacoma\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Tacoma homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/tacoma-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Tacoma houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Tacoma\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Tacoma apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_449449747.jpg\" alt=\"kirkland-wa\" class=\"wp-image-93811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_449449747.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_449449747-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_449449747-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_449449747-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_449449747-267x150.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_449449747-1120x630.jpg 1120w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_449449747-533x300.jpg 533w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-kirkland-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Kirkland, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">91,194<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,340,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,200<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24.4 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.2%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Across the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wsdot.wa.gov\/construction-planning\/search-projects\/sr-520-floating-bridge-and-landings-project\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">world\u2019s longest floating bridge (520)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Seattle, Kirkland is the eighth city on our list of the best places to live in Washington. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-kirkland-wa-known-for\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kirkland is known for<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> being a quiet, upscale Seattle suburb with Lake Washington views and plenty of amenities. Juanita Bay Park and Heritage Park are popular parks for waterfront relaxation and recreation, while the Kirkland Sailing Club &amp; School and Kirkland Performance Center are great for all-ages weekend fun.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a lot to do in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wearekirkland.com\/downtown\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kirkland\u2019s downtown area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, too. Central Way is the main throughway in the heart of the city, with boutique shops, upscale restaurants, and luxury apartments along the 10 blocks that make up downtown. Hearth, Cactus, and Feast are popular options. Central Way ends at Marina Park, which is where the city\u2019s Farmers Market is held on Wednesdays from June through September.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As it\u2019s only 11 miles east of Seattle, Kirkland\u2019s climate is nearly identical to other cities in the area. The air smells much cleaner, though. Commuting can be challenging during the week. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/9148\/WA\/Kirkland\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Kirkland homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/kirkland-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kirkland houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Kirkland\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Kirkland apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2121696176.jpg\" alt=\"renton-wa\" class=\"wp-image-93810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2121696176.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2121696176-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2121696176-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2121696176-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2121696176-267x150.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2121696176-1122x630.jpg 1122w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_2121696176-534x300.jpg 534w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9-renton-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Renton, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">104,491<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$735,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30.2 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.5%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just southeast of Seattle, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-renton-wa-known-for\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renton is known for<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its relatively affordable living and suburban feel. Renton borders Lake Washington to the north and extends into the Cascade Foothills to the east, providing a variety of scenery and beauty.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cedar River Park Trail, the Seahawk\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seahawks.com\/team\/facilities\/vmac\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Mason Athletic Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and Boeing\u2019s Renton campus are highlights of the area. Boeing is an iconic PNW company that also has a campus in Everett to the north, which is connected to Renton via the congested I-405.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For decades, Renton has served as an affordable option to homebuyers and renters priced out of Seattle, leading many to live in Renton and commute to Seattle. As a result, however, Renton <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentonreporter.com\/news\/growth-is-happening-how-will-renton-handle-it\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has grown very quickly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially in the past 10 years, causing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/transportation\/heres-why-i-5-is-such-a-mess-in-seattle-area-and-what-keeps-us-moving-at-all\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">commute times<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/business\/real-estate\/seattle-area-rents-hold-steady-after-pandemic-fueled-spikes\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rents<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and house prices to rise. With these changes, Renton has started shifting from an affordable commuter town to a fairly expensive city in its own right. House prices are still far below Seattle\u2019s, though, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentonwa.gov\/Projects-Development\/Public-Works-Projects\/Transportation-Planning-Programming-and-Traffic-Operations\/Six-Year-Transportation-Improvement-Program\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">upcoming transportation improvements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will make getting around easier than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/14975\/WA\/Renton\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Renton homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/renton-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Renton houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Renton\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Renton apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"bremerton-wa\" class=\"wp-image-98264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shutterstock_1256996056.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-bremerton-wa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Bremerton, WA<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><b>Population:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">45,450<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Sale Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$580,000<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Median Rent Price:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,600<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Average Commute Time:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">27.9 minutes<\/span><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>Unemployment Rate:<\/b><\/td><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3.1%<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A natural paradise, Bremerton, WA rounds out our list as the tenth-best place to live in Washington. Bremerton is located about 18 miles west of Seattle along the Kitsap Peninsula, surrounded by the Puget Sound with views of the Olympics.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historically inhabited by Coast Salish peoples, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bremertonwa.gov\/440\/Bremerton-History\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bremerton became<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the northwest\u2019s preeminent naval hub in the early 1900s. Today, Bremerton is a growing and hip city with a major military presence, with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bremertonwa.gov\/DocumentCenter\/View\/9900\/Request-for-Proposals---2024-Comprehensive-Plan-Downtown-Market-Study-PDF?bidId=\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">large portion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of residents working in the navy. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navsea.navy.mil\/Home\/Shipyards\/PSNSIMF\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puget Sound Naval Shipyard<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a portion of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cnrnw.cnic.navy.mil\/Installations\/NAVBASE-Kitsap\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naval Base Kitsap (NBK)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are located in the center of town.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commuting into Seattle is made possible via two ferries: one for cars, and a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kitsaptransit.com\/service\/fast-ferry\/bremerton-fast-ferry\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fast-ferry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for walkers and cyclists. As such, it\u2019s fairly common for people to live in Bremerton and work in Seattle. Commuters still spend at least an hour every day on the ferry (2+ hours for cars), but more affordable housing is a fair trade off. House prices are about half as expensive as Seattle, meaning you can get million-dollar water views for a fraction of the cost.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from affordable housing and the navy, there\u2019s a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-bremerton-wa-known-for\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lot to love about Bremerton<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Foodwise, local eateries like Lola, H&amp;B, and Khao Soi are great for lunch or dinner. For events, The Charleston hosts live music Thursday-Saturday evenings, while the Manette Saloon offers a wine and martini lounge with music and trivia. Lastly, the outdoors offer something for everyone: Beaches, mountains, trails, parks, and more are all within an hour\u2019s drive. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/1993\/WA\/Bremerton\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Bremerton homes for sale<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/washington\/bremerton-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Bremerton houses for rent<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Washington\/Bremerton\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><b>Bremerton apartments for rent<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-methodology\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Methodology<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redfin\u2019s Best Places to Live rankings are meant to help home searchers make an informed decision when choosing where to live. To attempt to measure the overall quality of a metro area, each ranking takes into account several key factors, including access to healthcare, open outdoor space, navigability, housing trends, employment statistics, income, and travel time to work. Only metros with a population of 20,000 or greater were considered for our Washington list. <\/span><b>More information about our methodology can be found <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-methodology\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>here<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data valid April 2025. This article is for informational and educational purposes only.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re looking to move somewhere new or are just curious about what the state has to offer, read on to discover the best places to live in Washington State in 2025. Redfin ranks cities based on factors like affordability, navigability, and number of amenities. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":559,"featured_media":81074,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2656],"tags":[559,34453,34393],"coauthors":[34342],"class_list":["post-93807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-insights","tag-moving","tag-national","tag-wa"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The 10 Best Places to Live in Washington State in 2025 | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the best places to live in Washington State in 2025. Redfin ranks cities based on factors like affordability, navigability, and amenities.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-washington\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The 10 Best Places to Live in Washington State in 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the best places to live in Washington State in 2025. 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