Safest Places to Live in Washington (2026): Costs & Safety

Washington isn’t just famous for its mountains and coffee it’s also where safety can make or break your decision to buy a home in 2025. Families, retirees, and first-time buyers are asking one question: “Where in Washington can I live without worrying about crime?”

Here’s the truth: buying a home in Washington isn’t cheap. With median prices soaring past $620,000, even a standard 3% agent commission adds nearly $19,000 to your cost. That’s money most buyers never plan for.

But here’s where it changes for you - with reAlpha, you can receive a substantial portion of that commission back, saving you thousands of dollars on the same home you were already planning to buy.

This guide will show you:

• The 10 safest cities in Washington (with real crime stats)
• How much homes cost in each area (so you know what’s realistic)
• Where appreciation and affordability meet safety the smart places to buy

By the end, you won’t just know where Washington is safest you’ll know how to make buying there cheaper and smarter.

When it comes to safety, Washington stands out but not for the reasons most think.

The Numbers:

• Nationally, Americans face a 1 in 45 chance of being a victim of property crime each year.
• In Washington’s safest cities, that drops to as low as 1 in 200.
• Violent crime? While big metros in other states report 5–6 incidents per 1,000 residents, Washington’s safest areas average below 1.0.

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That’s not just numbers. That’s the difference between:

• Families in some states are worrying about cars being broken into weekly.
• Retirees in many cities are afraid to walk after sunset…
• Parents telling kids they can’t bike to school alone…

Now imagine the opposite: neighborhoods where doors stay unlocked at night, where you can walk your dog at 10 PM without fear, where kids ride bikes in cul-de-sacs instead of sitting inside.

That’s what Washington’s safest cities actually look like.

Safety is priceless, but buying here doesn’t have to be expensive. With reAlpha, you don’t just find a safe place to live; you save thousands on the home you choose.

Sammamish continues to rank among the safest cities in America. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime here is just 1 in 4,070, compared to 1 in 245 nationally. Property crime sits around 6.2 per 1,000 residents, giving families and retirees rare peace of mind.

The trade-off? Price. The median home in Sammamish sells for about $1.58M, down 11% year-over-year-a buyer’s window in an otherwise luxury market. But that price tag comes with a hidden sting: a 3% commission adds nearly $48,000 to your cost.

With reAlpha, you can get a significant portion of that amount back—potentially tens of thousands in savings. That can be the difference between stretching your budget and buying confidently in one of Washington’s safest cities.

Sedro-Woolley, nestled in Skagit County, offers a small-town vibe with safety rates that rival Washington’s best. Violent crime risk is roughly 1 in 3,333, while property crime averages 10.6 per 1,000 residents-significantly lower than larger metros.

Median homes here sell for around $485K, holding steady with +1% YoY growth. Families who want affordable safety often land here.

Camas consistently makes Washington’s “safest city” lists. Violent crime risk is about 1 in 3,333, and property crime hovers near 11.5 per 1,000 residents. Families love its highly rated schools and the balance of suburban quiet with Portland’s urban access just across the river.

The median home price is about $785K, down nearly 9% YoY. That means opportunity-but it also means a commission bill of almost $24K.

With reAlpha, you keep up to $18K of that commission in your pocket. Safety plus savings—that’s how you buy smart in Camas.

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Snoqualmie offers one of the lowest crime profiles in the state. Violent crime rates sit at 0.2 per 1,000- that’s a 1 in 5,000 chance. Property crime is about 13.8 per 1,000 residents, still far below national levels.

Homes here average $1.19M, with prices dropping about 9% YoY. Buyers are getting a rare chance to enter a safe, high-demand market at a discount.

Bainbridge Island is more than a postcard town-it’s one of Washington’s safest enclaves. Violent crime hovers at just 0.5 per 1,000, and property crime averages 10 per 1,000 residents. For families who want waterfront living without compromise on safety, Bainbridge delivers.

The median home price is about $1.4M, down 9% YoY. That still puts buyers in the luxury tier.

Oak Harbor, on Whidbey Island, stands out with a safety record families dream of: zero robberies reported last year. Violent crime risk is just 1 in 1,429, while property crime remains among the lowest for its size.

Homes average about $534K, with values rising modestly at +1.9% YoY. That puts Oak Harbor in the sweet spot- affordable, stable, and safe.

Imagine raising your family in a community where safety isn’t a concern but a given. With reAlpha, that dream can also come with thousands in buyer savings.

Mercer Island is a rare blend of exclusivity and security. Violent crime is only 0.7 per 1,000, and property crime is about 12.2 per 1,000. It’s not just safe-it’s a market moving upward.

The median home price is about $2.56M, up a staggering +16.6% YoY. That means buyers here aren’t just purchasing safety, but locking in an appreciating asset.

In Eastern Washington, West Richland quietly ranks among the safest communities, with violent crime just 1 per 1,000 and property crime 8.3 per 1,000. Schools are well-regarded, and families appreciate the suburban calm with Tri-Cities access nearby.

Homes here average $423K, down about 13.7% YoY. For buyers, that’s safety + affordability at a discount.

Kenmore is the definition of balance: low violent crime (0.8 per 1,000) with property crime around 11.5 per 1,000, yet only a short commute from Seattle. It’s where professionals can raise families without giving up convenience.

The median home price is about $1.1M, down 2.9% YoY, which opens rare opportunities in this desirable corridor.

Lake Stevens offers small-town charm with big safety numbers: violent crime at 1.1 per 1,000 and property crime at 8.7 per 1,000. Families find the lakeside lifestyle a refreshing alternative to Seattle’s bustle.

Homes here average $688K, with prices down 5.5% YoY. But inventory is tightening, meaning today’s discount may not last.

Buyers who act now can secure both safety and savings-and with reAlpha, your commission rebate makes Lake Stevens even more attainable.

Not every buyer is looking statewide. Many want to know if their city or region is safe. Here are quick safety snapshots for Washington’s most-searched local spots:

Seattle isn’t crime-free, but certain neighborhoods consistently stand out for safety: Queen Anne, Magnolia, and Laurelhurst report violent crime well below the city average. Your risk of violent crime in these enclaves is roughly 1 in 500, compared to higher odds in downtown.

If you’re eyeing Seattle but want peace of mind, start with these safer districts-and see how much you could save on your home purchase with reAlpha.

Vancouver offers a mix of urban living and suburban calm. Areas like Fisher’s Landing East and Cascade Highlands have violent crime odds as low as 1 in 1,250. Pair that with median home prices around $490K, and it’s no wonder families cross the Columbia River to settle here.

Clark County towns such as Camas, Washougal, and Ridgefield rank among the safest in Southwest Washington. Violent crime rates average 0.3–0.5 per 1,000 residents-that’s safer than most of Oregon, just across the border.

Eastern Washington often surprises buyers. Towns like Pullman, West Richland, and Cheney report violent crime below 1 per 1,000 residents. Combine that with home prices well under the Seattle metro average, and Eastern WA offers a rare mix of affordability + peace of mind.

Buying in Washington isn’t just about finding a safe city-it’s about buying smart. Too many buyers focus solely on crime statistics and overlook the hidden costs that determine whether their home becomes a blessing or a burden.

Here’s what smart buyers check before signing:

• Affordability Beyond Price: A $600K home doesn’t really cost $600K once you add property taxes (~0.88% in WA), insurance premiums, and HOA fees. reAlpha helps offset these costs with our buyer rebate-so your monthly outflow drops immediately.
• Property Appreciation: Some of Washington’s safest cities-like Mercer Island (+16.6% YoY) and Spokane Valley (+12% YoY)-aren’t just secure, they’re appreciating fast. That means safety + equity growth.
• Insurance Risks: Wildfires, floods, earthquakes-buyers pay hidden premiums if they choose wrong. We help you identify safe and insurable neighborhoods that keep long-term costs low.
• Taxes & Closing Costs: WA’s property tax rates are lower than many coastal states, but closing costs still sting. With reAlpha’s commission rebate, you can cover them outright.

This is what others won’t tell you: Safety matters, but smart buying multiplies your savings. With reAlpha, you don’t just find a safe home-you protect your wallet and build wealth.

Safe homes in Washington aren’t just safer-they’re scarcer.

• Inventory is Tightening: Cities like Sammamish and Snoqualmie have seen listings fall by over 15% this year. Waiting six months could mean fewer options—or none at all.
• Prices are Rebounding: While 2025 brought temporary dips (−5% to −11% in several cities), economists project a bounce as mortgage rates stabilize. Buy now, and you ride the equity wave.
• Competition is Rising: Families and retirees are pouring into safe neighborhoods first. Those who wait get pushed into higher-crime areas-or priced out.

With reAlpha, you can secure a home in one of Washington’s safest cities while receiving a portion of the commission back-aligning safety, long-term equity, and property appreciation from day one.

You now know which cities in Washington are safest-and where families and retirees are already moving. But here’s the truth: buying safe is only half the equation. The real winners are those who buy safe and buy smart.

• Safety: Low crime, peace of mind, quality schools.
• Affordability: Prices that still dip in 2025, but inventory is tightening.
• Growth: Cities like Mercer Island and Spokane Valley are gaining double-digit value.

Most buyers stop here. Smart buyers go further. With reAlpha, you don’t just pick a safe city-you save thousands on your purchase, offset hidden costs, and step into equity growth with confidence.

Looking beyond Washington? Dive into our other guides-safety, affordability, costs, and lifestyle picks. Each table below helps you explore multiple guides in one go.