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People moving to the Seattle area often end up living in one of the surrounding or nearby cities, for a variety of reasons. Today, we will look at one community in particular: the city of Redmond.
This guide provides a detailed overview of the city and what it’s like to be living in Redmond, WA.
Redmond is a medium-sized city of around 80,000 people located in King County, Washington. Redmond is located in the “Eastside” portion of the greater Seattle metropolitan area, approximately 15 miles east of downtown Seattle.
Major highways like I-405 and State Route 520 provide direct routes into Seattle, for commuting purposes. This makes it ideal for residents who want a quieter residential setting without sacrificing access to Seattle’s attractions, job market, and other opportunities.
Redmond is a suburb of Seattle, with many residents commuting back and forth for work. But the city of Redmond also has its own strong economy, largely influenced by the tech sector. The city is home to Microsoft’s headquarters, along with many other tech companies and startups.
The city also benefits from its proximity to economic hubs like Seattle and Bellevue, offering ample job opportunities across various sectors.
Redmond is served by the highly rated Lake Washington School District, the second-largest school district in the state of Washington.
The first thing to know about the Redmond, Washington real estate market is that it’s fairly expensive, even by Seattle metro area standards.
There are two main reasons for this—supply and demand.
Redmond offers a number of amenities and benefits that attract new residents over time. Many of those new residents enter the real estate market in search of a home. But there aren’t enough properties available for sale to meet that demand.
In addition to making the local real estate market more competitive for those looking at buying a home in Redmond, WA, this supply-and-demand imbalance puts steady upward pressure on home prices.
The following list will give you a sense of where Redmond sits in terms of regional home values and affordability. It shows the median home value for each location in early 2025.
As you can see, Redmond, WA home prices are more than double the statewide median and quite a bit higher than the city of Seattle. But they’re comparable with neighboring cities like Kirkland and Bellevue.
Generally speaking, the Eastside area tends to have higher home prices. The Eastside is a major hub for the tech industry, which contributes to this dynamic.
The Redmond, WA cost of living is roughly 45% higher than the national average. Considering this, it’s important to ensure that you have the financial backing to justify a move to this amazing city.
The upside is that Redmond offers a number of high-quality, family-friendly neighborhoods, good Redmond WA schools, parks, and outdoor recreation. So that high price tag comes with benefits.
Redmond is one of the fastest-moving real estate markets in the Pacific Northwest. The ongoing inventory shortage mentioned earlier drives this trend.
Over the past few years, more than half of the homes sold within the city of Redmond went off market within two weeks. Many of them ended up selling for more than the original list price, a common occurrence in a highly competitive real estate market like Redmond.
Most cities in the Seattle metro area continue to struggle with severe inventory shortages, and Redmond is no different. Low housing supply and steady demand from buyers have created a seller’s market scenario in Redmond, Washington.
With preparation, patience, and persistence, you can successfully navigate the competitive Redmond housing market to find a suitable home.
As mentioned above, Redmond, Washington offers a number of quality neighborhoods. There’s something for just about every lifestyle preference.
In terms of architecture, you can find everything from Northwest contemporary to Craftsman bungalows to ranch-style homes within the city of Redmond.
Mortgage rates in Redmond, WA, are still currently high, especially when compared to a few short years ago. That said, they’re still somewhat lower than late 2023 when rates were well over the 7% mark.
As of early 2025, mortgage rates in Washington State are as follows (as per Zillow):
In closing, it’s helpful for buyers to understand what it’s like to be living in Redmond, WA. Namely, the high prices and low supply make for a competitive market. This Redmond home buying guide is meant to help you make a more informed buying decision before making a home purchase.
Your best bet is to partner with a seasoned Redmond mortgage company to ensure you have the financial backing to make a purchase, and a local real estate agent to find you a home that suits your budget.
Are you thinking of moving to Redmond, WA? If you’re looking to buy in Redmond, WA, we can help. At Sammamish Mortgage, we offer various mortgage options for you to choose from. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or call us today to have your mortgage questions answered!
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.