11 Most Affordable Suburbs of Seattle
- Tukwila
- Bremerton
- Auburn
- Des Moines
- Everett
- SeaTac
- Federal Way
- Kent
- Burien
- Renton
- White Center
1. Tukwila
Located just south of the city limits, Tukwila is one of Seattle’s most affordable suburbs, with a median home price of $436,000 and an average rent of $1,761. Its central location is ideal for young professionals working in the city, as Tukwila is just 11 miles or a 25-minute drive from downtown and has an average commute time of 26.8 minutes. Being so close to the city, it also has a relatively high crime rate, but it’s also a diverse community with easy access to highways, railroads, and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
2. Bremerton
Bremerton is another affordable suburb of Seattle with a median home price of $485,000 and an average rent of $1,682. Situated on the opposite side of the Puget Sound from Seattle, Bremerton is about 65 miles or a 1 hour 20-minute drive from Seattle. However, you can also take the ferry into downtown, which takes about 45 minutes, and the average commute time for residents in Bremerton is 26.8 minutes. Although more secluded than other Seattle suburbs, Bremerton also offers beautiful scenery, plenty of parks, and an affordable cost of living.
3. Auburn
Auburn is also one of the most affordable suburbs of Seattle. Located in Kings County, Auburn is 28 miles south of Seattle or about a 40-minute drive. Residents enjoy an average commute time of 31.6 minutes and affordable housing prices, including a median home price of $510,000 and an average rent of $1,824. In addition to its close proximity to Seattle, Auburn also features good schools, diverse neighborhoods, and a thriving economy.
4. Des Moines
Des Moines is another one of the most affordable suburbs of Seattle, with a median home price of $553,000 and an average rent of $1,824. Situated on the eastern shore of the Puget Sound, Des Moines is only 15 miles or a 31-minute drive from downtown Seattle and features a median commute time of 30 minutes. Not to be confused with the capital city of Iowa, Des Moines, Washington, is a good place to live for families and young professionals in search of great shopping, state parks, and an affordable cost of living.
5. Everett
Everett is also one of the most affordable suburbs of Seattle. Located about 36 miles north of Seattle in Snohomish County, Everett is just a 30-minute drive from downtown with an average commute of 26.9 minutes. Housing is also reasonably priced; the median home price is $550,000, while the average rent is $1,842. Everett is also known as the birthplace of Boeing Airplanes and offers a good balance of urban amenities and suburban serenity.
6. SeaTac
Located in southern King County, SeaTac is an inner ring suburb of Seattle and also one of its most affordable. SeaTac is home to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and its name derives from a portmanteau of the two major cities. It’s affordable for all the city offers, with a median home price of $562,000 and average rent of $1,808. Plus, it’s also very centrally located, about 14 miles or a 30-minute drive from downtown Seattle, with an average commute of 26.6 minutes.
7. Federal Way
Federal Way is another affordable Seattle suburb with a median home price of $585,000 and an average rent of $1,831. In between Seattle and Tacoma, Federal Way is about 37 miles or a 37-minute drive from the former. Federal Way residents also enjoy an average commute time of 33.3 minutes. While not quite as bustling as Seattle, Federal Way is still an excellent place to live for families and young professionals who want outdoor recreation and affordable living.
8. Kent
Kent is another one of the most affordable Seattle suburbs. Located in King County, Kent is the 4th largest municipality in the greater Seattle area. It’s situated about 20 miles or a 35-minute drive from downtown Seattle and features a median home price of $600,000 and an average rent of $1,865. The average commute time for Kent residents is 30.5 minutes. Its central location and access to amenities offer Kent residents all the benefits of living in Seattle for a lower cost of living.
9. Burien
Burien is also one of the more affordable Seattle suburbs, with a median home price of $625,000 and an average rent of $1,821. Nestled just 11 miles south of downtown Seattle or a 25-minute drive, Burien residents enjoy an average commute time of 27.5 minutes. Its central location and high quality of life have made it one of the fastest-growing cities in Washington state and a popular destination for families, artists, and young professionals in search of a thriving community with a reasonable cost of living.
10. Renton
Renton is another one of the most affordable suburbs of Seattle and offers a median home price of $670,000 and an average rent of $2,139. Located in southern King County, 11 miles southeast of downtown Seattle, Renton features an average commute time of 30.8 minutes. With good schools and easy access to Seattle, Bellevue, and the airport, Renton is a quiet suburb that is popular among growing families.
11. White Center
White Center is also one of the most affordable suburbs of Seattle, located just 8 miles or a 24-minute drive from downtown. The median home price in White Center is $683,000, while the average rent is $1,937, and the average commute time is 29.7 minutes. As a result, White Center is a great place to live for those who want immediate access to Seattle but a more affordable cost of living.