Seattle vs. Sammamish, Washington: A Comparison for Home Buyers

Published:
January 6, 2023
Last updated:
December 10, 2024
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Home buyers planning a purchase in the Seattle metro area have a lot of options when it comes to price, property types, and local attractions. Today, we’ll examine the differences between two major cities in the area — Seattle and Sammamish.

Benefits of Living in Seattle

Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington and is located in the Pacific Northwest region. Niche.com named Seattle the best city in America for outdoor activities, and the 13th best city to live in overall. So there’s a lot to like.

Home buyers and homeowners in Seattle can enjoy the following benefits:

  • Strong economy: Seattle is home to a strong and diverse economy, with major industries including technology, retail, healthcare, and education. Several Fortune 500 companies call the city home, including Amazon and Microsoft. This provides a range of employment opportunities for local residents.
  • Cultural attractions: Seattle is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with a number of museums, galleries, and theaters. The city is also home to a number of popular attractions, including the Space Needle, the Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Aquarium.
  • Outdoor recreation: Seattle is located in an area with beautiful forests, mountains, and lakes. This makes it a great place to live for outdoor enthusiasts. Residents can also enjoy a plethora of parks, trails, and recreational areas in and around the city.
  • Transportation: Seattle is served by a number of major highways, as well as a local bus system and a light rail system. The city also has a large port and is served by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country.
  • Good schools: Seattle offers a number of high-performing schools, which can be a major advantage for families with children.
  • Proximity to other cities and attractions: Located in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle offers easy access to a number of other major cities and attractions. For example, Portland, Oregon is just a short drive to the south. The beautiful San Juan Islands sit just off the coast.
  • Diverse community: Seattle is also known for having a diverse community, with a number of neighborhoods and communities representing a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
  • Strong healthcare system: Seattle is home to a number of top-ranked hospitals and medical centers.

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Benefits of Living in Sammamish

Sammamish, Washington is a city located east of Lake Sammamish and just outside of Seattle proper. Recently, WalletHub ranked it as one of the best small cities in America.

 Home buyers and homeowners in Sammamish can enjoy the following perks:

  • Proximity to Seattle: Sammamish is located just a short drive from Seattle, giving residents easy access to all of the amenities and attractions of the city.
  • Natural beauty: Like Seattle, the city of Sammamish is located in the midst of beautiful forests, mountains, and lakes, making it a great place for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Safe neighborhoods: Sammamish, Washington has a reputation for being a safe place to live, with low crime rates and a sense of community. This fact, combined with top-notch schools, makes it an attractive destination for families.
  • Easy access to transportation: Sammamish is served by several major highways, as well as a local bus system, making it easy for residents to get around.

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Overall, Sammamish Is a More Expensive Market

Seattle and Sammamish, Washington both fall within the same metropolitan area. But there are significant differences in home prices, depending on the specific neighborhood where you choose to buy.

According to Zillow, as of January 2025, the median home value in Seattle was around $848,982. During that same time, the median value in Sammamish stood at around $1.6 million.

So clearly, the Sammamish real estate market is the more expensive of the two. Just bear in mind that these are median prices, which represent the midpoint for the entire market. There is much more diversity of home prices in Seattle depending on which neighborhood you are looking to buy. The median home price in Madison Park or Queen Ann is going to be much different than the median home price in South Seattle or Ballard. Sammamish on the other hand won’t have as much variance depending on what part of the city you are searching. Both cities will have home significantly higher and lower than the median to choose from.

We encourage home buyers to conduct extensive research into these and other Seattle-area locales. When deciding whether to buy a home in Seattle or Sammamish, you’ll need to consider your housing budget, location preferences, commuting, and the specific type of home you want. You can use tools like Zillow or Redfin to get an idea of current home prices in specific neighborhoods.

Need a mortgage loan? Sammamish Mortgage has served home buyers and homeowners in the Pacific Northwest since 1992. We are a family-owned and operated company dedicated to helping buyers get the best possible loan with a great rate. Please contact us if you have financing questions or would like to apply for a loan.

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