If you want to really see Seattle, buy the CityPASS it will take you to places like the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Museum of Pop Culture; but, if you want to know where you should live in Seattle, take a look below at HomeSnacks’ list of The Emerald City’s best neighborhoods for 2024.
Seattle is where nature and a booming city meet in the Pacific Northwest. Incidentally, The City of Goodwill is one of the fastest growing cities in America. However, Seattle is not for the weak and neither are its best neighborhoods. The city is, unfortunately, one of the most expensive cities in America. So, if you want to live in Seattle’s best neighborhoods, be ready to shell out at least $749,396 and if you want to rent, be prepared to pay 20% above the national average.
Obviously a city with 695,607 residents means that it is doable–you’re just going to need to find a good job, the right neighborhood, and budget. We can help you with the right neighborhood. For example, if you want to live next to water because you’ve just watched Sleepless in Seattle, the Portage Bay neighborhood is a great place. If you want to live in the northeast corner of Seattle, be prepared to pay at least $550,000 for a home in the Bryant neighborhood. And if you want to live in Seattle’s best neighborhood, start applying to those jobs that pay at least $113,721/year–you’re going to need it.
Seattle might come with a hefty price tag, but it has great people, amazing food, and it’s safe. So, if you want to know the neighborhood that embodies all of these qualities and then some, keep reading.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
In case you’ve reached this point in the article and you are starting to doubt your move to Seattle, don’t. This city is one of the best in the country. That’s right, if you can handle mild to chilly temperatures on a regular basis, markets with fresh fish and unique treats, an eclectic music and art scene, and amazing scenery, then pack your car because Seattle’s number one neighborhood is calling your name.
So, what is the best neighborhood in Seattle for 2024? Well, according to the latest census data and our SnackAbility algorithm, Laurelhurst is number one.
If you want to see how the rest of Seattle’s neighborhoods ranked, take a look below; and if you don’t find your favorite there, head to the bottom.
For more Washington reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Washington
- Cheapest Places To Live In Washington
- Most Dangerous Cities In Washington
The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Seattle
Population: 3,147
Median Home Value: $1,500,867 (Third best)
Median Income: $210,921 (best)
More on Laurelhurst: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,900
Median Home Value: $1,523,750 (Second best)
Median Income: $143,520 (11th best)
More on Windermere: Data | Real Estate
Population: 5,081
Median Home Value: $838,225 (19th best)
Median Income: $132,914 (20th best)
More on Bryant: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,915
Median Home Value: $1,000,000 (Eighth best)
Median Income: $160,074 (Seventh best)
More on Hawthorne Hills: Data | Real Estate
Population: 4,488
Median Home Value: $960,117 (Tenth best)
Median Income: $144,462 (Tenth best)
More on Madrona: Data | Real Estate
Population: 2,562
Median Home Value: $917,300 (12th best)
Median Income: $139,319 (13th best)
More on North Beach: Data | Real Estate
Population: 6,181
Median Home Value: $710,475 (42nd best)
Median Income: $126,064 (27th best)
More on Whittier Heights: Data | Real Estate
Population: 4,352
Median Home Value: $784,500 (24th best)
Median Income: $152,296 (Eighth best)
More on View Ridge: Data | Real Estate
Population: 28,522
Median Home Value: $908,813 (13th best)
Median Income: $127,134 (24th best)
More on Queen Anne: Data | Real Estate
Population: 19,471
Median Home Value: $767,500 (28th best)
Median Income: $141,201 (12th best)
More on Magnolia: Data | Real Estate
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Seattle, WA Neighborhoods In 2024
To rank the best neighborhoods in Seattle, we had to determine what criteria define “best” and then apply Saturday Night Science to it.
Using FBI crime, Census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:
- High incomes
- Low unemployment rates
- Low crime
- High home prices
- High population densities (A proxy for things to do)
We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 78 in each category, where 1 was the best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.
And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index, the “Best City Neighborhood In Seattle.” We’re lookin’ at you, Laurelhurst.
Read on below to learn more about what it’s like to live in the best places Seattle, Washington has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city, from best to worst.
We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Seattle.
Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Seattle
If you’re measuring the neighborhoods in Seattle where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.
The best neighborhoods in Seattle are Laurelhurst, Windermere, Bryant, Hawthorne Hills, Madrona, North Beach, Whittier Heights, View Ridge, Queen Anne, and Magnolia.
As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Seattle aren’t all good. South Park takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Seattle.
The worst neighborhoods in Seattle are South Park, International District, Northgate, Sand Point, and Georgetown.
We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.
For more Washington reading, check out:
Best Neighborhoods To Live In Seattle For 2024 Detailed Data
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laurelhurst | 3,147 | $1,500,867 | $210,921 |
| 2 | Windermere | 1,900 | $1,523,750 | $143,520 |
| 3 | Bryant | 5,081 | $838,225 | $132,914 |
| 4 | Hawthorne Hills | 1,915 | $1,000,000 | $160,074 |
| 5 | Madrona | 4,488 | $960,117 | $144,462 |
| 6 | North Beach | 2,562 | $917,300 | $139,319 |
| 7 | Whittier Heights | 6,181 | $710,475 | $126,064 |
| 8 | View Ridge | 4,352 | $784,500 | $152,296 |
| 9 | Queen Anne | 28,522 | $908,813 | $127,134 |
| 10 | Magnolia | 19,471 | $767,500 | $141,201 |
| 11 | Portage Bay | 1,891 | $1,142,650 | $167,367 |
| 12 | Denny-Blaine | 1,134 | $1,229,700 | $182,711 |
| 13 | Olympic Manor | 2,666 | $940,600 | $187,862 |
| 14 | Wedgwood | 10,926 | $792,455 | $133,957 |
| 15 | Wallingford | 16,998 | $833,794 | $122,922 |
| 16 | Leschi | 4,884 | $965,200 | $137,792 |
| 17 | Ravenna | 12,018 | $852,658 | $127,194 |
| 18 | Phinney Ridge | 11,319 | $841,450 | $120,498 |
| 19 | Madison Valley | 1,941 | $873,250 | $121,864 |
| 20 | Matthews Beach | 6,348 | $782,183 | $134,463 |
| 21 | Loyal Heights | 9,545 | $778,571 | $132,548 |
| 22 | Fremont | 14,645 | $757,769 | $106,927 |
| 23 | West Seattle | 30,285 | $715,152 | $114,356 |
| 24 | Blue Ridge | 2,056 | $763,567 | $133,868 |
| 25 | Arbor Heights | 5,143 | $681,967 | $122,584 |
| 26 | Westlake | 5,252 | $676,800 | $134,864 |
| 27 | Broadmoor | 1,183 | $1,438,150 | $209,423 |
| 28 | Montlake | 2,382 | $1,028,050 | $209,141 |
| 29 | Sunset Hill | 5,871 | $778,700 | $126,147 |
| 30 | Crown Hill | 3,518 | $755,400 | $135,529 |
| 31 | Seward Park | 4,900 | $749,267 | $126,607 |
| 32 | Green Lake | 10,751 | $761,711 | $115,032 |
| 33 | Fauntleroy | 4,135 | $795,340 | $108,630 |
| 34 | Downtown | 18,952 | $728,205 | $104,919 |
| 35 | Eastlake | 3,127 | $872,333 | $118,666 |
| 36 | Belltown | 12,974 | $724,745 | $119,089 |
| 37 | Broadview | 8,519 | $659,771 | $103,633 |
| 38 | Maple Leaf | 13,133 | $655,680 | $112,090 |
| 39 | Admiral | 12,572 | $725,325 | $131,429 |
| 40 | Greenwood | 18,085 | $633,528 | $98,236 |
| 41 | Capitol Hill | 42,342 | $712,089 | $101,771 |
| 42 | Alki | 1,809 | $762,750 | $123,565 |
| 43 | Meadowbrook | 4,549 | $648,483 | $104,565 |
| 44 | Roosevelt | 3,994 | $832,550 | $125,118 |
| 45 | Madison Park | 1,750 | $1,612,125 | $148,198 |
| 46 | Ballard | 20,145 | $717,026 | $111,230 |
| 47 | Cedar Park | 6,255 | $636,914 | $90,465 |
| 48 | Pinehurst | 6,903 | $598,217 | $82,235 |
| 49 | Victory Heights | 6,008 | $607,917 | $106,968 |
| 50 | University District | 31,937 | $850,889 | $61,264 |
| 51 | Interbay | 3,359 | $767,220 | $112,626 |
| 52 | Central District | 19,378 | $694,700 | $89,534 |
| 53 | Lower Queen Anne | 13,141 | $652,042 | $89,961 |
| 54 | Brighton | 8,678 | $538,922 | $67,024 |
| 55 | North College Park | 7,296 | $623,612 | $93,581 |
| 56 | South Lake Union | 7,155 | $572,767 | $112,418 |
| 57 | Columbia City | 10,582 | $601,183 | $101,141 |
| 58 | Bitter Lake | 9,207 | $540,100 | $62,397 |
| 59 | Industrial District | 3,017 | $593,600 | $101,956 |
| 60 | Mount Baker | 10,406 | $700,367 | $105,979 |
| 61 | High Point | 8,807 | $546,950 | $90,727 |
| 62 | First Hill | 13,005 | $619,250 | $80,018 |
| 63 | Olympic Hills | 8,834 | $498,967 | $73,213 |
| 64 | Beacon Hill | 35,469 | $560,896 | $76,883 |
| 65 | Riverview | 3,738 | $485,375 | $94,884 |
| 66 | Haller Lake | 9,105 | $509,188 | $84,547 |
| 67 | Highland Park | 6,752 | $468,420 | $77,412 |
| 68 | Atlantic | 5,555 | $645,962 | $76,498 |
| 69 | South Delridge | 6,821 | $443,260 | $75,812 |
| 70 | Rainier Beach | 16,060 | $447,755 | $85,466 |
| 71 | Roxhill | 5,468 | $507,300 | $83,584 |
| 72 | North Delridge | 4,840 | $579,700 | $97,486 |
| 73 | Pioneer Square | 654 | $637,150 | $80,342 |
| 74 | Georgetown | 1,949 | $491,060 | $76,727 |
| 75 | Sand Point | 788 | $515,100 | $75,068 |
| 76 | Northgate | 4,414 | $481,040 | $65,554 |
| 77 | International District | 6,935 | $498,789 | $49,002 |
| 78 | South Park | 3,730 | $407,750 | $56,829 |