Why Live in Downtown Seattle
Downtown Seattle, located on Puget Sound's Elliott Bay, is characterized by its urban environment, walkability, and extensive public transportation options. The neighborhood is predominantly composed of condominiums, ranging from vintage midrises to modern high-rises, with single-family homes being rare. Residents enjoy a variety of dining and shopping experiences, including the iconic Pike Place Market, Westlake Center, and waterfront restaurants like Elliott's Oyster House and Ivar's. The area is rich in attractions and things to do, such as visiting the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Aquarium, and the Seattle Great Wheel. Sports enthusiasts can easily access T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field, both about a mile away. Cultural venues like the Paramount Theatre and Moore Theatre offer a range of performances and events.
Public transportation is highly accessible, with King County Metro and Sound Transit buses, the Seattle Center Monorail, and the University Street Station for light rail. Ferries from Piers 50 and 55 connect to various destinations, and Sea-Tac Airport is approximately 13 miles away. The neighborhood is undergoing waterfront improvements, including the creation of a new park at Pier 58. Olympic Sculpture Park provides additional outdoor space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Educational options include highly rated schools such as Meany Middle School, Garfield High School, and The Downtown School: A Lakeside School. The Seattle Public Library Central Library offers resources for students. Comparing it to the national average, Downtown Seattle has seen a decline in violent crime incidents, reaching the lowest level since 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown Seattle a good place to live?
Downtown Seattle is a good place to live. Downtown Seattle is considered very walkable and bikeable with excellent transit options. Downtown Seattle has 7 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 25.9 people per acre and a median age of 41. The average household income is $150,573 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 66.7% of residents. A majority of residents in Downtown Seattle are renters, with 81.8% of residents renting and 18.2% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Downtown Seattle can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Downtown Seattle neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Downtown Seattle?
The median home price in Downtown Seattle is $804,944. If you put a 20% down payment of $161,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.56%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $4,100 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $176K a year to afford the median home price in Downtown Seattle. The average household income in Downtown Seattle is $151K.
What are the best public schools in Downtown Seattle?
The best public schools that serve Downtown Seattle are:
- Garfield High School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 24:1 and an average review score of 3.6.
- Washington Middle School has an A- Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and an average review score of 3.4.
- Meany Middle School has a B Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 20:1 and an average review score of 2.5.
What are the best private schools in Downtown Seattle?
The best private schools that serve Downtown Seattle are:
- Giddens School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 5:1 and an average review score of 4.8.
- The Northwest School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 7:1 and an average review score of 4.3.
- Seattle Academy has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 5:1 and an average review score of 4.1.
What are the most popular zip codes in Downtown Seattle, Seattle, WA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Downtown Seattle, Seattle, WA?
Home Trends in Downtown Seattle, WA
On average, homes in Downtown Seattle, Seattle sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Seattle, Seattle over the last 12 months is $797,500, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$797,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$809,888
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,041,500
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,340,000
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$697,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$809
Number of Homes for Sale
34
Last 12 months Home Sales
54
Median List Price
$804,944
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%