Seattle didn’t make the cut this year, but a nearby neighbor did. In its latest ranking of The 25 Best Places to Live in the U.S., U.S. News & World Report named Sammamish the No. 7 best place to live in the country. Read on to find out why!
Located about 30 minutes east of Seattle in King County, Sammamish stood out for its strong job market, high incomes, and overall quality of life. The report evaluated cities based on factors including quality of life, job market strength, affordability, health care access, weather and air quality, and average commute times. Sammamish was the only city in the Western U.S. to land in the top 25.
Here’s what U.S. News had to say about giving the Pacific Northwest city a top spot in the #7 slot on the list:
Tucked away in the scenic Pacific Northwest is a small city with big opportunities: Sammamish, Washington. This unassuming suburb has the No. 3 job market in the country due to its proximity to tech hubs such as Microsoft and Amazon in the greater Seattle metro area. While Sammamish has the highest home prices of any city in the top 25 Best Places to Live, it also has the highest salaries. Sammamish ranks No. 2 on the income index behind only Cupertino, California – you know, the headquarters of a little tech company called Apple. Additionally, with a mild climate, low crime rates and top-rated public schools, Sammamish ranks No. 25 for quality of life and No. 21 for desirability.”
With a population of 64,557, Sammamish has a median home value of $1,185,433 and a median household income of $235,013 (the national average median household income is $79,466). While it has the highest home prices among the top 25 cities, it also boasts one of the highest salaries. The publication cited its proximity to major tech employers in the greater Seattle metro area — including Microsoft and Amazon — as a key driver of its No. 3-ranked job market. Sammamish also placed No. 2 on the income index, just behind Cupertino, home to Apple.
Beyond economics, the city earned high marks for its mild climate, low crime rates, and highly rated public schools. It ranked No. 25 nationally for quality of life and No. 21 for desirability.
Set along the eastern shore of Lake Sammamish, the city offers easy access to outdoor recreation and is just a short drive from Woodinville, one of Washington’s most celebrated wine regions. If you’re seeking the natural beauty of the Seattle area without the bustle of the Emerald City—and your income matches the the higher housing costs—Sammamish may be the place for you.