The 10 Best Neighborhoods In Seattle, WA For 2024


The best Seattle neighborhoods are Laurelhurst and Windermere for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Best Neighborhoods In Seattle
Source: Public domain

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


The Best Neighborhoods In Seattle For 2024

  1. Laurelhurst
  2. Windermere
  3. Bryant
  4. Hawthorne Hills
  5. Madrona
  6. North Beach
  7. Whittier Heights
  8. View Ridge
  9. Queen Anne
  10. Magnolia

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:

The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Seattle

Laurelhurst Seattle, WA

Source: Wikipedia User | CC BY-SA 4.0

Population: 3,147
Median Home Value: $1,500,867 (Third best)
Median Income: $210,921 (best)
More on Laurelhurst: Data | Real Estate

Windermere Seattle, WA

Source: Wikipedia User | CC BY-SA 4.0

Population: 1,900
Median Home Value: $1,523,750 (Second best)
Median Income: $143,520 (11th best)
More on Windermere: Data | Real Estate

Bryant Seattle, WA

Source: Flickr User chuck.taylor | CC BY-ND 2.0

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

Madrona Seattle, WA

Source: Wikipedia User | GFDL

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

Queen Anne Seattle, WA

Source: Wikipedia User Orange Suede Sofa | CC-BY-SA-3.0

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
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.