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SeattleWalkable

Northwest Seattle

Northwest Seattle encompasses beloved neighborhoods like Ballard, Crown Hill, and Loyal Heights, offering a strong blend of Scandinavian-rooted character, thriving food and drink culture, and solid...

75
Walk Score
62
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Living in Northwest Seattle

Northwest Seattle encompasses beloved neighborhoods like Ballard, Crown Hill, and Loyal Heights, offering a strong blend of Scandinavian-rooted character, thriving food and drink culture, and solid residential appeal at a median of $775,000 and $520 per square foot. A modest 8.0% year-over-year price softening and 33-day median days on market reflect a more balanced market compared to Seattle's tightest corridors, giving buyers a reasonable window to act without extreme pressure. The area's ongoing evolution โ€” particularly in Ballard โ€” makes it one of Seattle's most dynamic and livable districts.

Northwest Seattle is defined by Ballard's legendary dining and brewery scene, Golden Gardens Park on Puget Sound, and the Ballard Locks โ€” creating a lifestyle that blends urban energy with maritime character. The neighborhood is highly bikeable along the Chittenden Locks corridor and into Fremont, while the Burke-Gilman Trail extension puts central Seattle within easy pedaling distance. Farmers markets, independent retailers, and a thriving arts scene round out a neighborhood that consistently ranks among Seattle residents' most loved.

Young professional couple โ€” Ballard's food scene, nightlife, and urban energy attract buyers who want a vibrant lifestyle within a walkable neighborhood. Family prioritizing schools and outdoor access โ€” Ballard High School's reputation combined with Golden Gardens and the Locks offer an exceptional quality-of-life package. Buyer trading up from a condo โ€” The slight price softening and 33-day DOM window offer first-time house buyers a calmer entry into one of Seattle's most desirable districts.

Real Estate Market

Single Family-9.9% YoY
$865,000
$552
$/sqft
16
Days
92
Sold
Condo+20.6% YoY
$467,500
$440
$/sqft
51
Days
18
Sold
Townhouse+5.2% YoY
$699,900
$499
$/sqft
57
Days
38
Sold

5-Year Price Trends

Quarterly median sale price. Source: Redfin. Hover to highlight.

Q4 2025. Quarterly data from Redfin. Low sales volume can cause quarter-to-quarter volatility.

Getting Around

Northwest Seattle covers the northwest quadrant of the city, roughly bounded by Puget Sound to the west, N 145th Street to the north, Aurora Avenue N/I-5 to the east, and the Ship Canal to the south. Core neighborhoods include Ballard, Crown Hill, Loyal Heights, Sunset Hill, and Broadview.

Key commute times:

  • Microsoft Redmond: 45 min by car
  • Amazon Bellevue: 40 min by car
  • Downtown Seattle: 20 min by car or 30 min by rapid bus on 15th Ave NW

Highlights

  • Ballard's nationally recognized dining, brewery, and cocktail bar scene
  • Golden Gardens Park โ€” waterfront beach and sunset destination on Puget Sound
  • Ballard Locks โ€” unique urban attraction connecting Puget Sound to Lake Union
  • Median $775,000 with modest YoY softening offers improved value in a premium district
  • Ballard High School โ€” one of Seattle's top-rated public high schools
  • Strong bikeability and proximity to Burke-Gilman Trail for car-free commuting

Schools

Loyal Heights Elementary

Elementary
8/10

Whitman Middle School

Middle
7/10

Ballard High School

High School
8/10

Thinking about Northwest Seattle?

I'd love to show you around and help you find the right home. Let's talk about what Northwest Seattle has to offer.

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