In the Green River Valley, Auburn is a city between the Seattle suburbs and the rural landscape of the Pacific Northwest. The city is surrounded by a local entertainment scene with performing arts, casinos and Emerald Downs, a racetrack for thoroughbred horses. Steeped in history from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and early pioneer life, Auburn has a population of 90,000 about 25 miles south of Seattle. "People are going to keep moving farther south to communities like Auburn because Seattle is becoming unaffordable and crowded," says Danny Fung, a lifelong native of the Seattle area and Realtor at John L Scott Real Estate. "Auburn has a small-town, suburban vibe and it's growing."
Auburn is a city bridging Seattle's suburbs and the Pacific Northwest's rural charm.
Auburn holds rich history from the Muckleshoot Tribe and pioneer days.
A highlight in Auburn is the Performing Arts Center.
Emerald Downs in Auburn is a premiere spot to watch live horse racing.
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Variety of housing stock and local job market
In two of the city's most desirable neighborhoods – Lea Hill and West Hill-Midway , contemporary and New Traditional homes were built as recently as 2024, while sprawling 1960s ranch-style homes are standard. Downtown Auburn is a walkable city center with 1920s houses accessible to local restaurants and trails. Lakeland , Southeast Auburn and South Auburn provide access to riverside parks and the White River Trail. In Auburn, the median price of a single-family home is $655,000, and houses typically stay on the market for around 31 days, compared to the national average of 44 days. "Auburn provides some of the best value for the greater Seattle area," says Brian Williamson, a real estate agent at Pulte Homes of Washington. "You can find a brand new 2,200-square-foot, single-story home on a large lot for $625,000. You won't find that in Seattle."
While many suburbs of Seattle and Tacoma lack industry, Auburn is home to several companies. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is one of the area's top employers, with around 3,000 jobs at multiple entertainment venues. Boeing has a manufacturing plant and training center, while UPS, Walmart and Amazon employ around 10,000 people.
In Auburn, a new 2,200 sq. ft. home on a large lot costs $625,000.
Homes in Auburn sell in about 31 days, faster than the 44-day national average.
In Auburn, the median price of a single-family home is $655,000.
Downtown Auburn offers 1920s homes, local dining, and walkable trails.
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Entertainment and local green spaces
The open-air White River Amphitheater has hosted rock festivals by the water, such as Crüe Fest, Vans Warped Tour and the Mayhem Festival. Auburn is also an equestrian capital for the PNW, and Emerald Downs is Washington's premier racetrack. The city is also home to Muckleshoot Casino Resort, the state's largest gambling operation with 3,500 machines, 50 tables and a concert hall.
This city is home to 33 parks and over 26 miles of trails. One of the most notable greenways is the Interurban Trail, a 14-mile pedestrian trail along a historic rail line. Game Farm Park has athletic facilities and a paved trail with views of the White River. Connected to the community center, Les Gove Park is a recreational campus in the middle of town, distinguished by a totem pole. Five Mile Lake Park is stocked with rainbow trout for for fishing. The hilltop Centennial Viewpoint Park provides views of the Green River Valley and the glacier-covered peaks of Mount Rainier and the Cascades, which are visible from much of town.
Five Mile Lake Park in Auburn is popular for fishing for stocked rainbow trout.
Auburn's White River Amphitheater hosts top rock festivals by the water.
Auburn hosts Muckleshoot Casino, Washington's largest with games and concerts.
Les Gove Park, a central Auburn recreation spot, features a totem pole.
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Auburn's elementary schools, private schools and college
With around 18,000 students, Auburn School District earns a B-plus from Niche and is considered one of the most diverse districts in Washington. The district is known for its AP courses and other programs for high-achieving students. Elementary schools, such as Lakeland Hills and Bowman Creek, all receive A-minus grades and high rankings among King County schools. The private Auburn Adventist Academy is the fourth-best Christian high school in Washington, according to Niche. For continuing education, Green River College offers a range of two-year programs, professional certificates and nine courses of study for bachelor's degrees.
Bowman Creek Elementary School in Auburn gets an A-minus from Niche.
Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn ranks 4th among Washington's top Christian schools.
Green River College in Auburn offers 2-year programs, certificates, and 9 bachelor’s courses
Lakeland Hills in Auburn, receives an A-minus from Niche.
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Buses and trains at the Auburn Transit Center
The Auburn Transit Center is the local hub for King County Metro and Sound Transit Express buses. The Auburn Train Station provides public transportation through Sounder light-rail trains throughout the county. State Route 18 connects to Interstate 5 and other thoroughfares, allowing residents to reach multiple metro areas. Seattle is about 26 miles north, while Tacoma is roughly 14 miles west. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is around 17 miles north for flights to worldwide destinations.
The Auburn Transit Center connects King County Metro and Sound Transit.
Seattle is about 26 miles north of Auburn.
Tacoma is roughly 14 miles west of Auburn.
Seattle-Tacoma Airport, 17 miles north, offers global flights from Auburn.
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Historic downtown with a burgeoning arts scene
Downtown Auburn features historic architecture, with early 20th-century storefronts and newer businesses centered around Main Street. Its burgeoning arts scene is evident in a sculpture series, art galleries and the Auburn Performing Arts Center, a spacious auditorium for the Auburn School District. The Outlet Collection Seattle is among Washington's most significant shopping malls, with more than 100 retailers and designer brands like COACH, Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton. Social spaces include Oddfellas Pub and Eatery. Other popular restaurants are Athens Pizza & Pasta, Garcia's Mexican Restaurant and Hibachi Buffet. There are multiple supermarket chains in the city as well, such as Safeway and Fred Meyer.
Downtown Auburn features great historic architecture.
The Outlet Collection in Auburn boasts 100+ stores, a top Washington mall.
Auburn offers several supermarkets, including Safeway and Fred Meyer.
Popular restaurants in Auburn include Athens Pizza & Pasta.
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Local crime rates and weather
The violent crime rate in Washington decreased by 5% in 2023, while Auburn experienced a slight increase from 127 to 171 per 100,000 people. Property crimes have also increased from 475 to 560 per 100,000 people.
Auburn experiences a mild climate with warm summers and cool winters. The area also sees over 40 inches of rainfall annually, about 10 inches more than the national average. Temperatures dip below freezing on winter nights, and blizzards can spread from the nearby mountain ranges. Minor flooding occurs annually in Auburn, primarily in low-lying areas near the White and Green rivers, according to the city. However, upstream dams have eliminated significant flooding.
On average, homes in Auburn, WA sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Auburn, WA over the last 12 months is $610,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
As an agent who's an expert in this local area, Laura Lundin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate here. It's not the same everywhere, so you need someone you can trust for up-to-date information. She is eager to serve you. Here are some of the things she can do for you:
Find Your Next Home You need someone who knows this area inside and out! She work with you to find the right home at the right price for you, including all the neighborhood amenities that matter - not to mention the essential criteria you have for your ideal home
Sell a Home When it's time to move, you need someone who will advertise your home, show to prospective buyers, negotiate the purchase contract, arrange financing, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. She can take care of everything you need, from start to close.
Consult on Home Selling Tactics Oftentimes buyers don't visualize living in your home the way you do. She can make your home attractive to its ideal audience - which can help you get top dollar. Things like staging the home, making repairs or minor improvements, or even simply painting the walls can be the difference between a home resting on the market and one that's sold fast.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
