Looking for the Safest Neighborhoods in Seattle? We Have 11 Right Here

What’s a vibrant city in the beautiful Pacific Northwest popular for its music scene, jobs in a variety of industries, and stunning natural beauty? Oh yeah, and then there’s the coffee culture — it is the birthplace and headquarters of Starbucks, after all. Yep, that’s Seattle. And because it’s such a great place, moving to Seattle is high on the list for a lot of people. However, thanks to the higher crime rates in certain parts of the city, many families are seeking homes in the safest neighborhoods in Seattle before making their move. 

Planning a move to Seattle? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

Sure, like most larger cities, Seattle lost some population during the pandemic; however, from 2021 to 2022, the city gained around 17,750 new residents who were eager to enjoy the amenities that Seattle neighborhoods can offer them. The population is now made up of almost 750,000 people.

One thing that may stick out, though? Seattle’s crime. Does Seattle have a low crime rate? Unfortunately, no. According to NeighborhoodScout, Seattle’s crime index is a 1, meaning it’s only safer than 1 percent of other U.S. cities (100 is the best/safest score). Your chances of being a victim of a crime are 1 in 15.

Portland, OR, is close to Seattle, and it also scores a 1 on the crime index, but it has a lower population at just over 635,000. Your chances of becoming a victim of crime in Portland are 1 in 14. The data also shows Seattle to be safer than another popular western city, Salt Lake City, UT. SLC has a crime index of 1 but a population of just over 205,600 — much smaller than both Seattle and Portland — and your chances of being a victim in Salt Lake City are 1 in 13.

Is Seattle safe? It depends on the neighborhood. It’s worth reinforcing that Seattle is a large city (with its almost 750,000 residents) and crimes tend to be concentrated in certain areas. Still, if you’re considering a move to the Emerald City, you likely want to know what the safest neighborhoods in Seattle are. So here are 11 of the neighborhoods we think you should check 

These Are the Safest Neighborhoods in Seattle for 2024

So is Seattle safe to move to? We think yes — there are plenty of safe and amazing neighborhoods to choose from. Whether you’re coming with your family, you’re a young professional, or you’re looking for a safe spot to retire, one of these thriving neighborhoods could be your next home!

Loyal Heights is located just blocks away from Shilshole Bay, making it easy for residents to enjoy time out on the water.
(Source: myseattlebroker.com)

1. Loyal Heights

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,075
• Average home value: $1M
• Great for: Public schools, families, nightlife, commute

Loyal Heights, one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle, is located just blocks away from Shilshole Bay. If you have a boat, or just enjoy going out on the bay, then this could be a dream place for you. The Shilshole Bay Marina, the Seattle Sailing Club, the Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle, and Fish Finders Private Charters are all located along the same stretch of nearby Seaview Ave., making it easy to enjoy time out on the water. 

If you prefer to stay on land, you can always take the kids to the Loyal Heights Playground or attend activities at the Loyal Heights Community Center. The Golden Gardens Wetlands and Beach are also great places to spend time in the sun, walking the trails with your dog, or having a picnic with friends.  

This neighborhood is also known for its shopping selection, and you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, like jewelry at Baleen, European favorites at Scandinavian Specialties, and all kinds of local fresh produce at Top Banana.

2. North Beach/Blue Ridge

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,900
• Average home value: $1.42M
• Great for: Families, public schools, easy commute

If you want to live in a Seattle neighborhood by the ocean with fantastic views of the sound, then consider finding a spot in the safe neighborhood of North Beach/Blue Ridge. Take the kids for a fun day at the Soundview Playfield and Wading Pool, or spend the day with friends or walk the dog at the North Beach Park and Natural Area. This walkable Seattle neighborhood offers lots of chances to enjoy being near the water, and you’ll love how convenient it is to nearby Golden Gardens Beach and the seaside trails at Golden Gardens Park.

Residents of all ages especially love taking in the views at Pipers Creek Natural Area and seeing all the trees in bloom at Piper's Orchard. Nearby Holman Rd. also offers lots of markets and shopping, as well as local spots to grab a bite like Dick’s Drive-In.

Q: Is Seattle water safe to drink? A: Tap water in Seattle is safe to drink, but most people recommend the use of a carbon filter.

3. Bryant

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,100
• Average home value: $1.11M
• Great for: Families, young professionals, students, outdoor activities, nightlife

Residents of Portage Bay love to spend time near the water at places like the Queen City Yacht Club or the Pocock Rowing Center, but also enjoy nearby greenspaces like Fairview Park or Roanoke Park.

4. Portage Bay

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,100
• Average home value: $1.39M
• Great for: Young professionals, students, nightlife, families, commute

Portage Bay is considered one of the best places to live in Seattle by Niche, and once you see the views, chances are, you’ll agree. It’s nestled right into the Portage Bay side of Lake Union, north of Downtown Seattle. It’s just across the water from the University of Washington, which means this would be a great area for students to live. And if you’re a commuter, Portage Bay is right on I-5 and Route 520, which means you can easily be anywhere in the city (traffic permitting) with a short commute. 

Residents of this neighborhood love to spend time near the water at places like the Queen City Yacht Club or the Pocock Rowing Center, but you can also enjoy nearby greenspaces like Fairview Park or Roanoke Park. And when you live here, you’ll get to chow down on fresh sushi at Sushi Kappo Tamura and sandwiches at the Little Market!

Q: Is Downtown Seattle safe? A: Yes, Downtown Seattle is considered safe, with its good police presence.

5. Matthews Beach

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,925
• Average home value: $1.12M
• Great for: Families, outdoor activities, beaches

Looking for a neighborhood that offers waterside paths like the Burke Gilman Trail, perfect for morning jogs or evening bike rides with the family? Then you should consider checking out one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle, Matthews Beach. While it may be smaller in size, you’ll find this tight-knit community offers a lot of amenities within a close proximity. Matthews Beach Park is a stone’s throw away, for example, and offers panoramic views of Pontiac Bay as well as access to a swimming beach, a boat launch, a playground, and a basketball court. 

Meadowbrook Pond and Meadowbrook Playfield are also nearby hotspots for residents who enjoy the tennis courts, playground, and community garden. And Lake City Way is a main thoroughfare that has you covered for easy shopping and food options like The Breakfast Club, Thai One On, and Jalisco Mexican Restaurant. 

Q: Where to avoid staying in Seattle? Is Aurora Ave. in Seattle safe? A: You may want to avoid staying in the First Hill area, one of Seattle’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Similarly, Seattle’s Aurora Avenue is generally considered unsafe due to illegal activity and lack of sidewalks.

6. View Ridge

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,025
• Average home value: $1.23M
• Great for: Retirees, families, health and fitness options

Want to live in a quiet neighborhood with beautiful views of the bay? View Ridge may be the perfect place. This neighborhood offers one of the top golf courses in the city (according to Golf Digest) at Sand Point Country Club. View Ridge Playfield is another fun place to spend some time outdoors, as it offers a playground, swings, a picnic area, and plenty of space for baseball/softball or soccer. Magnuson Park is also in the area, if you feel like walking the trails or want to take the boat out into the water. And Moss Bay and the Marina Park Public Beach are just a boat ride away!

When you’re looking to get some shopping done, locals love how close the PCC Community Market - View Ridge Co-Op is, as well as plenty of places along NE 75th St. to grab a bite like soup and salad at Grand Central Bakery or Chinese food at Chopsticks Cuisine.

7. North Queen Anne

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,400
• Average home value: $1.14M
• Great for: Students, families, commute, nightlife, schools, diversity

Located along the Lake Washington Shipping Canal is the popular neighborhood of North Queen Anne. As a resident here, you’ll be in the heart of the bustling city — Downtown Seattle, Uptown, and Belltown are only a few blocks away. And as such, North Queen Anne is a walkable area with a mix of students (Seattle Pacific University is located nearby), young professionals, and families.

On the far side of the neighborhood, you’ll find the Interbay Golf Center and Driving Range, which is perfect for spending the day out on the green. People of all ages enjoying the popular David Rogers Park, complete with a playground, tennis courts, track, and ballfield. And there are plenty of convenient shopping options close, as well, including Trader Joe’s and Ken’s Market, as well as local places to grab a bite like La Palma Family Mexican Restaurant and Rooftop Brew Co.

Q: Is West Seattle safe? A: West Seattle is safe and is one of the most popular places for families and retirees.

8. Arbor Heights

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,900
• Average home value: $798,400
• Great for: Families, jobs, outdoor activities

Located in the southernmost part of West Seattle is Arbor Heights. As a resident of this neighborhood, you’ll have easy access to Fauntleroy Park when you’re looking to get some exercise outdoors on the trails, not to mention some great views of Mount Rainier! Or you could also head over to Seola Park, which is home to the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club. Prefer to spend some time near the water? Then you can enjoy the day at the Arroyos Natural Area and take in the views of this part of Puget Sound. 

You can also find a variety of places to shop and eat along SW Roxbury St., including Safeway, Taqueria El Parian, and the Missing Piece.

Located right along the shores of Green Lake, Phinney Ridge is a great place to raise a family, especially if you like to stay active together.
(Source: alchemyrealestate.com)

Q: What is the best area to live in Seattle? A: Of the options on this list, Niche lists Phinney Ridge as the second-best place to raise a family in Seattle and North Queen Anne as the eighth-best neighborhood overall. Not on this list, but ranked No. 1 on Niche’s list for “Best Neighborhoods to Live in the Seattle Area,” is Sand Lake Union.

10. Stevens

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,125
• Median home sale price: $1.3M
• Great for: Families, retirees, outdoor activities

Ranked by Niche in the top 10 best neighborhoods in Seattle is the community of Stevens. If you want to live close to the center of town but still have all kinds of options when it comes to outdoor activities, then this could be the safe Seattle neighborhood for you. Stevens has massive greenspaces on both its eastern and western borders, not to mention the Interlaken Park on its northern end. And you can easily get to trails, gardens, and beautiful natural scenery at Washington Park Arboretum. It includes the Seattle Japanese Garden, the Broadmoor Golf Club, giant sequoias, a rhododendron garden, and Japanese maples. 

Living in Stevens means you’ll also enjoy the close proximity of Volunteer Park, which includes an amphitheater, a dahlia garden, tennis courts, a playground, and the Seattle Asian Art Museum. When you need a break from the outdoors, head over to Monsoon Seattle for Vietnamese or burgers at Two Doors Down. 

Southeast Magnolia is a lovely Seattle neighborhood located right on Elliot Bay in Puget Sound.
(Source: alchemyrealestate.com)

11. Southeast Magnolia

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,050
• Average home value: $1.26M
• Great for: Families, retirees, outdoor activities

A lovely Seattle neighborhood located right on Elliot Bay in Puget Sound is Southeast Magnolia. This neighborhood would be a great place to raise a family or retire, thanks to its friendly residents, walkable streets, and access to outdoor activities. You’ll love spending time in Magnolia Park, or strolling along Magnolia Blvd. to take in the beautiful views of the sound. Ella Bailey Park and Bayview Playground and Park are also popular places to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family. 

The northern part of this neighborhood offers residents access to the expansive Discovery Park, which includes trails, a playground, a visitor’s center, and Discovery Park Beach. You can even visit the West Point Lighthouse that was built in 1881! And like most of Seattle, you’ll always have access to great coffee in Southeast Magnolia, including at Uptown Espresso and Petit Pierre Bakery.

Q: Is Belltown, Seattle, safe? Which part of Seattle is safest? A: Belltown, Seattle, isn’t as safe as neighborhoods like Magnolia and Stevens — two of the safest areas to live in Seattle.

Move To One of the Safest Seattle Neighborhoods With PODS

When you’re ready to make the move to one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle, PODS can help you get there with ease. Just choose the size of the portable storage container you need, and they’ll deliver it to your place, so you can pack at your own pace. You can even ask for local mover recommendations to help with the heavy lifting! When you’re ready to go, PODS will pick up the container and drive it to your new Seattle home, where you can take advantage of PODS City Service in Seattle. This is especially helpful if you’re moving into a place on a busy Seattle street, since the PODS driver will stay with your items as you unload them right from the truck, no driveway needed.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.

(Source for image featured at top: alchemyrealestate.com)