Despite its reputation, it doesn’t rain all the time in Seattle, so pick one of these spots to call home.
Seattle consistently makes it onto “the best places to live” lists, including those published by U.S. News. This is despite the misconception that it always rains or is the rainiest city in the United States (it’s not — it gets less rain than Boston, New York and Miami).
This Pacific Northwest gem has so much going for it, including world-class schools, great outdoor activities and adventures, a thriving job market and more.
If you want to live in an area where residents tend to earn above-average incomes and lush forests surround you, you should consider moving to Seattle.
The great thing about this city is that even if you don’t make more than the average person, there are still plenty of affordable living options. We’ve done the research and found some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Seattle to prove our point. And though they’re some of the cheapest places to live in Seattle, they’re also some of the city’s best-kept secrets!
What is the average rent in Seattle?
The cost of rent in Seattle rose between 2021 and 2022 by nearly 30.4 percent. The average apartment rental fee is $3,652 for a two-bedroom apartment. Thankfully, there are several neighborhoods (even more than we’ve listed here today) that fall well below the current city average. In fact, we count approximately 49 communities that have an average rental cost of below $3,600 per month.
The 10 most affordable neighborhoods in Seattle
Whether someone is moving to Seattle for work or pleasure, the fact remains that most people need to know a neighborhood’s rental costs. After all, what’s the use of renting your dream apartment if the area is so expensive that you really can’t afford to buy groceries or pay your bills? Thankfully, plenty of great communities in this city can fit a tight budget. Here are just a few of the cheapest neighborhoods in Seattle.
10. Alderwood Manor
Source: Rent.com/Motif
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,951
- Rent change since 2021: +6.29 percent
Some people think that living in one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Seattle automatically means you’re going to have to deal with a higher crime rate. Thankfully, that’s not what you get when you move into an Alderwood Manor apartment. The crime rate in the area is actually lower than the Washington average.
The neighborhood consists primarily of young families, and there are several highly-rated public schools in the area. It isn’t uncommon to see kids playing together outside or the neighbors chatting together or everyone getting together for a fireworks show on the 4th of July. Neighbors are friendly, and people feel that this is a safe, nurturing community for their growing family.
If you’re someone looking for exciting nightlife activities, Alderwood Manor isn’t the best neighborhood for you.
9. Victory Heights
Source: Rent.com/Lane
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,934
- Rent change since 2021: +5.25 percent
Another great neighborhood for families is Victory Heights. Though it’s one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Seattle, it’s one of the safest, friendliest and most beautiful. Some features that residents love: The peace and quiet, the mature trees that line the streets and the kind neighbors. There’s a strong sense of community in Victory Heights, and neighbors are genuine, caring and love interacting with each other.
The community is great for families and young professionals alike. Schools in the area receive excellent ratings from parents. You can find plenty of transit options nearby for commuting into the Downtown area, which is a little over eight miles away.
Located around the neighborhood are several coffee shops (including two Starbucks), a variety of international eateries and entertainment opportunities. Parks in the area have seen recent updates, making them even more fun for kids and family events.
8. Roosevelt
Source: Rent.com/Square One
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,865
- Rent change since 2021: +5.35 percent
Another one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Seattle with a quiet, safe atmosphere is Roosevelt. The local high school ranks above average, as do many of the elementary schools in the area, making it a great place to raise a family.
Residents say that health and fitness are a high priority for many of their neighbors, who they see walking, running and biking the neighborhood daily. If exercise is important to you, you’ll be happy to know that there are several CrossFit and yoga studios in the area, too.
Roosevelt is a neighborhood where residents feel safe enough to enjoy evening walks. Residents say the community feels inclusive with multiple income levels and age groups living here.
If you need to commute into the Downtown area, you can expect to spend 20-30 minutes in your car or on public transit during your commute. Because the community is so peaceful, safe, quiet and relaxed, residents typically don’t mind the commute.
7. Puget Business Park
Source: Rent.com/Latitude
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,804
- Rent change since 2021: +13.26 percent
It’s one thing for a website to claim that a community is one of the cheapest places to live in Seattle – it’s another thing entirely for residents to make that claim. And that’s precisely what you’ll hear from residents about Puget Business Park. Four out of five people who live here say it’s one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Seattle.
Most people who live in the area are couples and young professionals. The average commute to work or shopping ranges between 15 and 49 minutes.
One of the perks of living in the Puget Business Park neighborhood is that the area is very walkable. The walkability score is 86, while the bike and transit scores – also quite high — are 75 and 71, respectively. The neighborhood is ideal for anyone who loves to walk, jog or bike, whether you’re trying to save gas while running errands or you just want a nice workout in the fresh air and sunshine.
6. Pinehurst
Source: Rent.com/Row on 3rd
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,655
- Rent change since 2021: 0 percent change
Another neighborhood that’s ideal for families is Pinehurst. Families make up most of the community, and it’s one of those neighborhoods where people are genuinely friendly and take the time to get to know their neighbors.
Pinehurst is more suburban than urban but is only a 13-minute drive (depending on traffic) to Downtown Seattle. And that means that the atmosphere in Pinehurst is quiet and relaxed, but it’s not too far from the excitement of the city.
Though you’ll find more restaurants, bars and coffee shops in Downtown Seattle, there are still some excellent food and beverage options in Pinehurst, as well.
The neighborhood has a nice amount of green space for kids to play and families to picnic. Shopping is easily within walking distance, too.
Pinehurst is one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Seattle, and it has a lot to offer in the way of atmosphere and amenities.
5. Northwest Seattle
Source: Rent.com/Horizon Phinney
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,647
- Rent change since 2021: -18.02 percent
Though Northwest Seattle has some of the best urban amenities of all the neighborhoods on this list, it had one of the highest decreases in rental fees. Out of the 59 communities we evaluated, Northwest Seattle had the fourth-highest decrease in the past year.
One of the high points of living in this part of the city is the abundant green spaces. You’ll find lakes, parks and a zoo where you can go to get away from the noise of the city and enjoy all that nature has to offer. Many of the parks are pet-friendly, but there are often some restrictions. For instance, if you take your dog to Green Lake Park, you’ll need to keep them on a leash and make sure they don’t swim in the lake.
And while Seattle’s cost of living is, overall, more expensive than the national average, it’s still on the lower end when it comes to city living. In fact, though Northwest Seattle is less than 10 minutes from the Downtown area, it’s still one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Seattle, with plenty of affordable apartments for rent.
4. Paine Field-Lake Stickney
Source: Rent.com/HighGrove Apartments
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,644
- Rent change since 2021: +4.31 percent
Paine Field-Lake Stickney is a suburb of Seattle, approximately 25 minutes away from Downtown. While some residents work in the neighborhood, many (nearly 90 percent) commute to Seattle for higher-paying jobs.
The neighborhood as a whole is clean, safe and peaceful. Neighbors are friendly, and apartments for rent in Paine Field-Lake Stickney are quite affordable.
The community consists mainly of young professionals and small families, the majority of whom say this is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Seattle.
Paine Field-Lake Stickney is best for renters who own or have access to a vehicle both because of the nearly 30-minute commute and because of the low walkability and bike scores (42 and 51, respectively).
3. Beacon Hill
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,635
- Rent change since 2021: -5.54 percent
Less than five miles south of Downtown and east of I-5 is the peaceful community of Beacon Hill. The residential neighborhood is low-key and relaxed, in part due to the fact that most residents commute out of the area for work.
Beacon Hill is one of the least developed communities in the city, which is one of the reasons why it’s one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Seattle. Therefore, you’ll find that the area is almost purely residential with few businesses or entertainment options. Thankfully, Downtown is only about 10 minutes away, so commuting to work, enjoying some shopping or a night on the town is relatively easy.
And don’t get us wrong — you’re not in the “boonies” or anything if you find an apartment for rent in Beacon Hill. There are several restaurants in the area, including barbeque, Mexican and Chinese. There are also good shopping options, including an Asian market, local produce stand and an artisanal bakery.
2. North Beacon Hill
Source: Rent.com/Westview Apartments
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,635
- Rent change since 2021: -5.54 percent
One of the things residents love about North Beacon Hill — besides being one of the cheapest places to live in Seattle — is that there are so many green spaces. Take Jefferson Park as an example. It’s the sixth-largest park in Seattle. When you visit this park, you’ll have incredible views of the Olympic Mountains and the Duwamish River. Activities include golf and lawn bowling, and there’s also a community center in the park.
Of course, being so close to Downtown (which is just over three and a half miles away), you’ll get to spend as much time as you like enjoying all the shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities available in Seattle. And then, you get to go back home to the peace and quiet of your North Beacon Hill apartment.
1. Bitter Lake
Source: Rent.com/Tressa
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,505
- Rent change since 2021: +1.92 percent
And finally, we have the cheapest neighborhood in Seattle, Bitter Lake. In this community, you’ll find rows of lovely homes, as well as new condos and apartment complexes. Several older complexes are undergoing (or have already undergone) renovations.
Bitter Lake is just 10 miles north of Downtown Seattle, so it’s an easy commute, but when you come home, you get to leave the hustle and bustle behind.
Within the community is a playfield where you and your family can watch a baseball game, play tennis or have fun in the wading pool.
And, of course, there’s Bitter Lake itself, a great place for a picnic and to go swimming. The nearby community center has computer labs, performing arts activities and even an environmental learning center for kids.
The most expensive neighborhood in Seattle
Are you curious about the most expensive neighborhood in Seattle? Compared to the cheapest neighborhoods in Seattle, you’ll spend nearly $3,000 more per month in the community of South Lake Union, where you can pay upwards of $4,425 for rent. Interestingly, rent prices dropped over the past year, though only by 1.03 percent.
South Lake Union is near Uptown, the Space Needle and Amazon’s headquarters. The neighborhood has a dense, urban vibe and is ideal for singles, professionals and couples without kids.
Find an affordable neighborhood for your next apartment
If you liked the communities on this list, now’s the time to find the apartment of your dreams. Check our listings for apartments for rent in Seattle. Use our filters to narrow your search and find the ideal apartment in the most affordable neighborhood Seattle.
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory as of January 2022. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets. The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Source: rent.com