7 safest neighborhoods to live in Seattle, WA

Moving to “Queen City” can be a challenge, given its size. Many people looking for housing wonder about the safest neighborhoods in Seattle. Although many factors play into crime rates in Seattle, there are a number of neighborhoods that stand out for safety. We have put together this guide to help you figure out which of the city’s more than 100 neighborhoods is right for you. Safety is important, after all! It’s a good idea to start your search for housing in the most affordable and safest areas in Seattle. Of course, safety also depends on the characteristics of individual streets and residences. While data can be helpful to zero in on the safest parts of the city, you also need to use common sense.

Here’s a look at some of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle.

1. Ballard

Ballard, a hip waterfront neighborhood, is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Seattle! There are trendy restaurants, shops, breweries, and bars, making it ideal for young professionals and students. In addition to a buzzing dining and nightlife scene, Ballard is home to the National Nordic Museum, the perfect place to explore the area’s Scandinavian roots. The neighborhood is also perfect for newcomers to the city.

The crime rate in Ballard is slightly higher than Seattle’s overall crime rate. However, this is mostly because of nuisance crimes like pickpocketing or even underage drinking. The number of violent crimes is quite low. To learn more about the crime rates in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, check the latest Seattle police data. Ballard has a population of nearly 30,000 residents according to recent data from Point 2 Homes. The median age for residents of the neighborhood is 34.4.

2. Hawthorne Hills

Scenic Hawthorne Hills is a wealthy neighborhood. It is also one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle. The neighborhood is located immediately northeast of the University of Washington campus. This makes it an excellent choice for recent college graduates who want to enjoy its bars and pubs.

You can also see some incredible vistas of the Seattle skyline Lake Washington, and the Cascade Mountains, thanks to Hawthorne Hills’ elevation. Hawthorne Hills actually has the lowest crime rate in Seattle. Hawthorne Hills isn’t just one of the safest areas in Seattle but in the whole country. The latest data from local law enforcement reported on AreaVibes is compelling. There were only 22 violent crimes and no murders in the last published statistics. There are about 1,800 permanent residents of this small neighborhood. The median age for residents is 41 years old.

3. Matthews Beach

Lakeside Matthews Beach is located about eight miles north of downtown Seattle. This scenic area is part of Lake City township in northeast Seattle. As the name suggests, the neighborhood has a wonderful beach. There are also a number of hiking trails in the area.

If you’re a student, you may want to start your housing search here. The University of Washington is an easy distance from Matthews Beach. It’s also a great spot if you want take advantage of Blueground’s brand-new Studentground program. It’s a student housing solution featuring discounted rates for fully furnished apartments, rent-free when you’re away, flexible durations, and a seamless rental experience close to campus.

Matthews Beach is one of the safest areas in the city. There were just 99 violent crimes per 100K residents! This figure comes from recent crime data from Upgraded Home.  Property crime is also very low. There were just over 5,000 permanent residents of Matthews Beach. The median age of people who live in the neighborhood is 46.1. You can find other recent demographic data at AreaVibes.

4. Arbor Heights

Located in West Seattle, Arbor Heights is another one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle. This largely residential neighborhood has great schools and is only 25 minutes from downtown. Arbor Heights residents also have great views of Mount Rainier. It’s also a short distance from Puget Sound and there’s even beach access to the Salish Sea.

According to data from Space Wise, Arbor Heights is safer than 92% of Seattle neighborhoods! The neighborhood’s population is relatively large at just over 10,000 residents. The medium household income is $118,816. This is compared to the city average of S102,486. You can find even more demographic data about Arbor Heights at City Data.

5. Wedgwood

Trendy Wedgwood is located a quick trip down I-5 from downtown Seattle. This family-friendly area is also one of the safest areas in Seattle. The neighborhood has a great culinary scene, with cafes, bars, and restaurants serving food from around the world. There’s also the annual Wedgwood Art Festival, which draws people to the area from all over the city.

Wedgwood is safer than 86% of Seattle neighborhoods! This is according to recent crime data from Extra Space.  Unfortunately, it is also more expensive than many Seattle districts. The median age of Wedgwood residents is 41.2 and the population is sizeable, at more than 10,000 residents at last count. You can find additional demographic data at AreaVibes.

6. Broadmoor

Broadmoor is another one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle. That makes sense, as it is a gated community. Broadmoor is located in Seattle’s Madison Park area and is known for the Broadmoor Golf Club, a 115-acre golf course. The neighborhood is a great choice for nature lovers since there is an extensive trail system.

According to data from Upgraded Home, Broadmoor is incredibly safe. The area had just 26 violent crimes per 100K residents in 2020. Property crime was also quite low! The neighborhood’s population is quite small at just over 1,500 residents. This makes sense, as Broadmoor is after all a gated community. The average median age of Broadmoor residents is 40.8. This is based on recent data from Area Vibes.

7. Laurelhurst

Lovely Laurelhurst is another residential community with great schools. This family-friendly locale is also one of the safest areas in Seattle. Residents of Laurelhurst enjoy spectacular views of Lake Washington and Union Bay. There are also plenty of activities like tennis, baseball, soccer, and even the private Laurelhurst Beach Club.

As one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle, Laurelhurst boasts only 180 violent crimes per 100K. According to data from Upgraded Home, its crime rate is also well below the national average. The median age of Laurelhurst residents is 40.7. In all, there are about 4,150 residents in the neighborhood. You can find out even more about the demographics of the neighborhood at Area Vibes.

How to find a safe home regardless of the area

Even if you have decided to only look in the safest neighborhoods in Seattle, you will want to consider other factors during your housing search.

First, figure out your budget for an apartment. Keep in mind that Seattle can be quite pricey compared to other cities in the U.S. Don’t forget to include the cost of utilities like electricity, Internet, gas, and water as part of your monthly housing budget! If you cannot afford to rent a studio or a one-bedroom apartment in the safest areas of Seattle, you may want to consider living with a roommate or two. Secondly, search for apartments in the neighborhoods you like to see if there are good options in your price range. If you’re not finding many places, you may need to add a few more areas to your search. Third, make sure that the apartments you’re targeting actually fit your lifestyle. Are you a foodie who wants to be near great restaurants? Maybe you’re a parent who wants to live near the best public schools. If you will be commuting to work, you will need to find a home with parking (or access to public transit).

Happily, many of the safest areas in Seattle are also near some of the city’s best dining and entertainment. Just be sure to use common sense like you would in any large city! Opting for a flexible-term furnished apartment in Seattle from Blueground instead of a traditional rental is a great way to move to the safest neighborhoods in Seattle. Going this route also eliminates a lot of time and hassle. Blueground carefully selects apartments in the safest areas in Seattle. In addition to stylish furniture and state-of-the-art appliances, Blueground takes care of all utilities. You can simply show up and start living. We even include thoughtful extras like Smart TVs and Marshall Bluetooth wireless speakers. Our inventory in Seattle includes studios, and one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. You can find everything from lofts to townhouses in some of the best parts of the city.

A short-term rental also gives you the freedom to change your living situation as it evolves. Want to move from a studio to a two-bedroom with your partner? You don’t have to wait months for your lease to end. Similarly, a flexible rental is a great solution if your relationship ends unexpectedly and you need a new place to live in a hurry. We hope this guide to the safest neighborhoods in Seattle helps you with your upcoming move!