Living in Redmond, WA: A High-Tech Suburb with Heart

Thinking about living in Redmond? This vibrant Eastside city blends high-tech innovation with lush natural beauty, making it one of the most sought-after places to call home in the Seattle area. Best known as the headquarters of Microsoft and a growing tech hub, Redmond offers a suburban-urban feel with plenty of green space, trails, and a strong sense of community.

Whether you’re relocating for work, looking for top-rated schools, or simply want more breathing room than Seattle’s urban core, living in Redmond means enjoying a family-friendly lifestyle with easy access to world-class employers, parks, and year-round recreation. From walkable downtown shopping to biking the Sammamish River Trail, Redmond strikes the perfect balance between Pacific Northwest charm and modern convenience.

Location & Lifestyle Overview

Living in Redmond offers the perfect blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility. Located just 15 miles northeast of downtown Seattle and 7 miles east of Bellevue, Redmond sits at the heart of the Eastside tech corridor. With convenient access to SR-520, commuting to major employment centers like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Facebook is straightforward—especially with the upcoming expansion of the light rail system into downtown Redmond.

Despite its status as a growing city, Redmond maintains a warm, small-town feel. You’ll find peaceful residential streets, friendly neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community. Walkable districts like Downtown Redmond and Overlake offer a mix of apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes, as well as local coffee shops, parks, and weekend farmers markets.

Residents who prioritize an active lifestyle love Redmond’s proximity to nature. The city is woven with parks, greenbelts, and bike trails—including the scenic Sammamish River Trail, which runs through the city and connects to Lake Sammamish and beyond. Whether you’re into paddleboarding, hiking, or simply strolling with your dog, living in Redmond makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors year-round.

With its safe neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and community-focused vibe, Redmond appeals to professionals, growing families, and anyone seeking a balanced lifestyle close to everything the Seattle metro area has to offer.

Redmond Real Estate Market Overview

Living in Redmond means stepping into one of the most competitive and high-performing housing markets in the Seattle metro area. As of July 2025, the median sale price for a home in Redmond is approximately $1,274,500, according to Redfin, reflecting a nearly 9% drop from the prior year. Despite this recent dip, Zillow reports that the average home value remains around $1.37 million, up 1.4% year-over-year. Homes are also selling fast, with average days on market hovering around 15 days, and well-priced listings often receive multiple offers. Inventory remains tight, which continues to fuel competition—particularly in desirable neighborhoods.

Price per square foot in Redmond averages about $672, up 5.1% from last year, and many homes—especially those with recent updates, good school access, or proximity to Microsoft—sell at a premium. The median listing price on Realtor.com is currently about $1.4 million, which has remained relatively flat in recent months.

Redmond’s housing stock includes a healthy mix of single-family homes, condos, and multi-unit properties. About 41% of the city’s housing units are single-family detached homes, while approximately 40% are in multifamily structures with five or more units. Recent development trends indicate that around 72% of new construction has focused on apartments and condos, highlighting the city’s ongoing shift toward higher-density living options. These figures come from the City of Redmond’s Housing Element and Washington’s Housing Needs Assessment.

Prices and home styles vary significantly by neighborhood. For example, North Redmond stands out as one of the city’s most expensive areas, with median home prices around $2.16 million as of mid-2025, up more than 10% year-over-year. More moderately priced neighborhoods include Bear Creek, where median values are closer to $760,000. These price differences are often tied to lot size, home condition, school boundaries, and proximity to parks or employment centers like Microsoft and downtown Redmond.

In response to the region’s growth and affordability pressures, Redmond has made important policy changes. The city’s 2025 update to its Comprehensive Plan introduced a new zoning category—Neighborhood Residential (NR) Zone—which allows up to six dwelling units per residential lot by default, or up to eight if at least one unit meets local affordability standards. These zoning reforms aim to support more “missing middle” housing, such as duplexes, triplexes, and cottage clusters, helping diversify Redmond’s housing stock and make living in Redmond accessible to a broader range of buyers.

For home sellers, the takeaway is clear: attractive, move-in-ready homes continue to sell quickly, particularly in prime locations. For buyers, the key is preparation. With limited inventory and rising prices in certain pockets, it’s essential to secure financing early, know your must-haves, and act quickly when the right property becomes available. Entry-level options—such as condos and townhomes—still exist but come with trade-offs in space, privacy, and HOA costs.

Redmond vs. Seattle: Key Real Estate Comparison

Metric	Redmond, WA	Seattle, WA
Median Sale Price (All Home Types)	~$1,274,500 (July 2025)	~$880,000 (July 2025)
Price per Square Foot	~$672/sq ft in Redmond	~$567/sq ft in Seattle
Days on Market	~15 days in Redmond	~18 days in Seattle
Year‑Over‑Year Price Change	Redmond down ~9.0% YoY	Seattle ~ flat (0.0%) YoY
Median Property Value (owner‑occupied)	~$1.09 million (2023) in Redmond	— Data varies by neighborhood
Median Household Income	~$162,100 (2023) in Redmond	— Citywide Seattle income data not exactly matched here
Commute Time (Average)	~ 23.2 minutes in Redmond	— Depends heavily on neighborhood; some Seattle residents closer in, others further out

What This Tells Us

• Cost Gap: Homes in Redmond are significantly more expensive on average compared to Seattle—both in total price and per square foot. If you’re comparing budgets, you’ll need a higher up‑front investment for similar size/quality in Redmond.
• Market Pace: Redmond homes sell a bit faster than Seattle on average (~15 days vs ~18 days), meaning competition can be tight in Redmond for desirable homes. Buyers should be prepared.
• Price Trends: Redmond has seen some cooling year‑over‑year, with a ~9% drop in median price, while Seattle’s market is more flat. This indicates perhaps more sensitivity in Redmond to shifts in interest rates, inventory, or buyer demand.
• Income vs Housing Costs: The median household income in Redmond is high ( ~$162k ), which helps offset the higher housing cost — but affordability still will be challenging for many buyers given the scale of home prices.
• Commute & Lifestyle Trade‑offs: Living in Redmond buys shorter or more manageable commute times for many, particularly for those working on the Eastside (e.g. at Microsoft, etc.), versus commuting from further into or across Seattle. There’s also trade‑offs in urban density, transit access, and walkability.

Community Overview

Living in Redmond is well-known for its excellent amenities, community events, and recreational spaces. The city prides itself on offering numerous parks, with over 1,000 acres of public parks and trails. Marymoor Park, one of the most popular parks in King County, features expansive lawns, a climbing wall, an off-leash dog park, sports fields, and even a summer concert series, attracting both locals and visitors. Nearby, the Sammamish River Trail provides a scenic route for biking, jogging, and walking along the river.

The community in Redmond is diverse and engaged, often coming together for local events such as Derby Days, a long-standing tradition featuring a parade, live music, and a 5K run. The Redmond Saturday Market is another community favorite, offering farm-fresh produce, artisanal goods, and local crafts throughout the summer months.

Nearby Attractions and Activities

Living in Redmond is packed with activities and attractions suitable for a wide range of interests. Wine enthusiasts can visit nearby Woodinville Wine Country, where over 100 wineries, breweries, and distilleries offer tastings and tours. Additionally, Redmond Town Center, an open-air shopping and entertainment center, provides numerous retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment options like bowling and movie theaters.

During the holidays, the Town Center transforms into a winter wonderland, with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and family-friendly events like visits with Santa, creating a truly magical experience.

Schools and Education

Families considering living in Redmond will find access to some of the highest-rated schools in the region, both public and private. Redmond is part of the Lake Washington School District (LWSD), which consistently ranks among the best in Washington State. Serving approximately 30,800 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, the district maintains an average student-to-teacher ratio of about 18:1. According to Niche, roughly 73% of students meet or exceed grade-level expectations in math, while 81% are proficient in reading. The district has earned an overall rating of A+, making it a top choice for families seeking strong academic performance and extracurricular opportunities.

Several Redmond-area public schools are especially well regarded. Tesla STEM High School, a lottery-based choice school, is one of the most competitive and highly ranked STEM-focused high schools in the state. Redmond High School offers a broad range of academic programs, strong graduation rates, and a robust extracurricular scene. Among the area’s top elementary and middle schools are Ella Baker Elementary, Clara Barton Elementary, Rose Hill Middle School, and Timberline Middle School, many of which receive above-average ratings on GreatSchools for academic excellence, student engagement, and teacher quality.

For those seeking private education, Redmond offers respected alternatives. The Overlake School is a non-sectarian college preparatory school serving grades 5 through 12, known for its small class sizes and rigorous academics. The Bear Creek School is a Christian college prep school serving students from preschool through grade 12, offering a blend of academic excellence and faith-based education.

Redmond is also home to DigiPen Institute of Technology, a globally recognized leader in game development and computer science education. Students interested in technology and digital arts can pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees here. Nearby, Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) offers professional certificates, associate degrees, and applied bachelor’s degrees, particularly in health sciences, technology, and skilled trades. Bellevue College, one of the largest community colleges in the state, is also a short drive away and offers a wide array of academic programs and transfer pathways to four-year universities.

For families focused on long-term educational planning, living in Redmond offers a strong pipeline from kindergarten through higher education. School district boundaries can significantly influence home prices and competition, so buyers often prioritize neighborhoods aligned with top-performing schools. Between the high-performing public system, private options, and specialized post-secondary programs, Redmond is an excellent choice for families who value education and want to invest in their children’s academic future.

Schools Rating Comparison

School	Level	Rating / Rank	Key Details
Tesla STEM High School	Public High School	A+ on Niche; Ranked #1 Best Public High School in Washington for 2025.	Students ≈ 601; strong in STEM, college prep.
Redmond High School	Public High School	C+ on Niche; Ranked #8 Best Public High Schools in Washington (college prep)	Student‑teacher ratio ~21:1; large student body ≈ 2,275 students.
The Overlake School	Private 5‑12	A+ on Niche; one of the top private high schools in WA.	Small class sizes; strong college prep reputation.
The Bear Creek School	Private PK‑12	A+ on Niche	Offers a PK‑12 continuum, Christian non‑denominational.
Timberline Middle School	Public Middle School	A+ on Niche; Ranked #3 in WA for 6‑8 grade public middles schools.	Student body ≈ 741; ~21:1 student‑teacher ratio.
Rose Hill Elementary School	Public Elementary	A on Niche (with fewer reviews)	Strong score; parent satisfaction high.

What the Ratings Tell Us

• There is strong public high school choice, especially with Tesla STEM High School and Redmond High School both highly ranked. Those wanting rigorous academics and STEM focus will find excellent options.
• Private schools like The Overlake School and Bear Creek School earn similarly high ratings. For families willing to pay tuition and seeking smaller class sizes or different educational philosophies, these are solid alternatives.
• Middle and elementary schools show high performance too, especially those like Timberline Middle and Rose Hill Elementary, which score near the top. Lower student‑teacher ratios and good parent reviews tend to correlate with these top ratings.
• A caveat: Ratings depend heavily on number of reviews and community feedback. Schools with fewer reviews (especially in elementary levels) can have high scores, but those scores might fluctuate more as more data comes in.

Transportation and Accessibility

Living in Redmond offers a range of transportation options that make commuting to nearby employment hubs convenient. The city is well-connected via major highways, including State Route 520, which provides direct access to downtown Seattle and Bellevue. For those who prefer public transit, King County Metro operates regular bus services, and future expansions of the Link Light Rail are planned to connect Redmond directly to the Seattle metro area by 2024.

Redmond is also known for its bike-friendly infrastructure, with numerous dedicated bike lanes and trails. The city’s commitment to alternative transportation helps reduce traffic congestion and makes Redmond an excellent choice for eco-conscious commuters.

Why Work With HomePro Associates in Redmond, WA

HomePro Associates, led by Emily Cressey, is your dedicated real estate partner for buying or selling homes in Redmond. Our team’s in-depth knowledge of the Redmond area, combined with our commitment to personalized client service, ensures you have a seamless and successful real estate experience. We are here to help you navigate the competitive Redmond market, offering insights on local trends, pricing strategies, and more.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, HomePro Associates will provide you with the resources and support you need to find the perfect home. Visit HomeProAssociates.com to learn more about our services and why we are trusted by clients throughout King County.

Explore Other Nearby Communities

If you’re interested in Redmond, you may also want to explore nearby communities. Bellevue, WA offers a bustling downtown and a range of housing options, while Kirkland, WA boasts beautiful waterfront views and a charming downtown area.