WashingtonPop. 66,463Smaller cities
Is Sammamish a Good Place to Live? Sammamish, Washington: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Sammamish ranks #210 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #102 of 524 smaller cities and #5 of 26 in Washington. Against similar-size cities it stands out for high household income ($239,690, #1 of 524) and low poverty (4.3%, #18 of 524), and trails on expensive homes ($1,407,300, #513 of 524) and high rents ($2,857/mo, #509 of 524).
Sammamish by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Sammamish's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Sammamish: its police agency reported only part of the year. See Is Sammamish safe?
What is the cost of living in Sammamish?
Sammamish's cost of living index is 111.1, 11% above the US level of 100 and #1132 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $2,857/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $1,516,014, 2.6 times the typical Washington home ($591,879).
| Measure | Sammamish | WashingtonWA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 111.1#1132 of 1,308 | 107 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $1,516,014#1171 of 1,187 | $591,879 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $3,587/mo#1091 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $1,407,300#1292 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $2,857/mo#1283 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 5.9x#1024 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 14.3%#37 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Washington is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Sammamish housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Sammamish is in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro.
Washington housing market →Is Sammamish safe?
The FBI figures we hold for Sammamish are far below Washington's rates for a city of 66,463, which usually means the police agency reported only part of the year, so we don't publish them or rank Sammamish on safety. Washington as a whole records 284 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Sammamish?
The median household in Sammamish earns $239,690, 2.9 times the US figure of $83,163 and 2.4 times Washington ($99,389). Unemployment is 4.3% (US 4.3%). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.4% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Sammamish | WashingtonWA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $83,163 | $239,690#2 of 1,312 | $99,389 | $83,646 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.3% | 4.3%#615 of 1,058 | 4.7% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 4.3%#63 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | +0.4%#435 of 1,132 | +0.9% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Washington is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Sammamish?
The median resident of Sammamish is 39.9 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 77.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #12 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 82.6% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Sammamish | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 39.9 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 77.1%#12 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 82.6% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Sammamish's schools and health?
Sammamish's 13 public schools graduate 94.4% of students in four years (Washington 83.6%), with 19.9 students per teacher and $17,113 spent per pupil. 19.5% of adults are obese and 6.4% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Sammamish | WashingtonWA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 94.4%#113 of 1,063 | 83.6% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 19.9#937 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $17,113#402 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 19.5%#16 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 6.4%#31 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 12.3%#25 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 4.1%#18 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Washington is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 11,343 students are enrolled in Sammamish's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Sammamish?
The average commute in Sammamish is 29.3 minutes (Washington 27.2); 2.6% of workers take transit and 38.8% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Sammamish scores 9.3 of 20 (below average walkable), #777 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 63.3°F and winters 41.4°F, with 63.3 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Sammamish | WashingtonWA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 29.3 min#1065 of 1,312 | 27.2 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 8.3%#942 of 1,312 | 9.3% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 50.5% | 65.1% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 2.6% | 4.2% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 1.5% | 3.3% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.8% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 38.8% | 16.4% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 9.3#777 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Washington is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46.4 | 35.8 | 8.6 |
| Feb | 49.6 | 35.3 | 5.8 |
| Mar | 53.7 | 37.2 | 6.7 |
| Apr | 58.9 | 40.1 | 5.3 |
| May | 64.1 | 46.1 | 4 |
| Jun | 69 | 50.6 | 3.2 |
| Jul | 75.8 | 54 | 1.2 |
| Aug | 76.7 | 53.7 | 1.2 |
| Sep | 70.4 | 49.1 | 3 |
| Oct | 59.5 | 43.5 | 6.2 |
| Nov | 51.1 | 38.3 | 9.5 |
| Dec | 45.8 | 35.7 | 8.4 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Snoqualmie Falls.
| Measure | Sammamish | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 51.7°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 63.3°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 41.4°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 63.3 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Snoqualmie Falls.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Sammamish?
King County's air had a median air quality index of 43, and 67% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts King County's biggest natural hazard losses in earthquake and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.25% of building value, higher than 83% of US counties.
| Measure | Sammamish | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 44 | 43#494 of 1,138 | 44 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 3 | 0#1 of 1,138 | 3 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.25%#1053 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for King County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, King County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | 0.14% | 99% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.079% | 47% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Sammamish compare with similar-size cities?
Sammamish is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #102 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 66,463.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sammamish, WAPop. 66,463 | #210 | 64.2 | $239,690 | $2,857/mo | part year | 29.3 min |
| Alpharetta, GAPop. 66,855 | #54 | 70.6 | $147,612 | $1,948/mo | 220 | 26.3 min |
| Oshkosh, WIPop. 66,729 | #377 | 60.4 | $62,188 | $935/mo | 257 | 18.1 min |
| Novi, MIPop. 66,717 | #96 | 68.5 | $110,723 | $1,747/mo | 97 | 26.2 min |
| Ocala, FLPop. 66,584 | #962 | 50.7 | $56,376 | $1,359/mo | 393 | 19.2 min |
| Caldwell, IDPop. 66,516 | #551 | 57.3 | $73,058 | $1,264/mo | 482 | 24.6 min |
| Union City, NJPop. 66,463 | #645 | 55.9 | $64,310 | $1,537/mo | 248 | 33.1 min |
| Commerce City, COPop. 66,445 | #707 | 54.8 | $111,972 | $1,880/mo | 742 | 29.7 min |
| Palatine, ILPop. 66,293 | #145 | 66.5 | $97,819 | $1,549/mo | 86 | 27.7 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Sammamish compare with the rest of Washington?
Sammamish ranks #5 of the 26 Washington cities we track, with a score of 64.2 against Washington's statewide 61.8. Its households earn 2.4 times the Washington median. Homes are 2.6 times the typical Washington home.
| City | Rank in WA | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redmond, WAPop. 77,353 | #1 | 71.1 | $162,560 | $2,409/mo | 104 |
| Kirkland, WAPop. 92,621 | #2 | 70.3 | $150,414 | $2,401/mo | 67 |
| Bellevue, WAPop. 151,847 | #3 | 70.0 | $165,576 | $2,572/mo | 114 |
| Shoreline, WAPop. 61,431 | #4 | 64.9 | $112,751 | $1,985/mo | 138 |
| Sammamish, WAPop. 66,463 | #5 | 64.2 | $239,690 | $2,857/mo | part year |
| Seattle, WAPop. 754,195 | #6 | 61.1 | $123,860 | $2,030/mo | 706 |
| Richland, WAPop. 62,753 | #7 | 60.2 | $95,813 | $1,468/mo | 257 |
| Renton, WAPop. 105,317 | #8 | 59.1 | $100,432 | $1,998/mo | 258 |
| Lacey, WAPop. 57,737 | #9 | 59.0 | $90,625 | $1,870/mo | 220 |
| Marysville, WAPop. 73,002 | #10 | 58.8 | $103,974 | $1,997/mo | 168 |
The top 10 of the 26 and the cities ranked either side of Sammamish among the Washington cities we track, by overall score. Washington statewide: median income $99,389, violent crime 283.9 per 100,000.
How is Sammamish's score calculated?
Sammamish scores 64.2 out of 100, #210 of 1,312 (grade A, which follows rank). It is scored on the 9 of 11 categories with local data; safety and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Washington's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 18% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Sammamish. Similar-size median 55.5.
83.5 - HealthCity data · 15% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Sammamish. Similar-size median 58.9.
92.6 - EducationCity data · 15% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Sammamish's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
61.6 - AffordabilityCity data · 12% of score
Sammamish's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
18.6 - Household financesCity data · 10% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Sammamish. Similar-size median 56.1.
97.6 - GrowthCity data · 9% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Sammamish. Similar-size median 42.4.
44.1 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Sammamish. Similar-size median 50.0.
62.6 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Sammamish's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
43.7 - EnvironmentCounty data · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 50.8.
35.7 - SafetyNot scored
Sammamish's police agency has no full year of FBI reports to score.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Sammamish's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Sammamish has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Sammamish
Is Sammamish, WA a good place to live?
Sammamish ranks #210 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #102 of 524 smaller cities and #5 of 26 in Washington. Against similar-size cities it stands out for high household income ($239,690, #1 of 524) and low poverty (4.3%, #18 of 524), and trails on expensive homes ($1,407,300, #513 of 524) and high rents ($2,857/mo, #509 of 524).
What is the cost of living in Sammamish?
Sammamish's cost of living index is 111.1, 11% above the US level of 100 and #1132 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $2,857/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $1,516,014, 2.6 times the typical Washington home ($591,879).
Is Sammamish safe?
The FBI figures we hold for Sammamish are far below Washington's rates for a city of 66,463, which usually means the police agency reported only part of the year, so we don't publish them or rank Sammamish on safety. Washington as a whole records 284 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Sammamish?
The median household in Sammamish earns $239,690, 2.9 times the US figure of $83,163 and 2.4 times Washington ($99,389). Unemployment is 4.3% (US 4.3%). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.4% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Sammamish?
Median rent in Sammamish is $2,857/mo (Census), #1283 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $3,587/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 14.3% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Sammamish?
The typical home value in Sammamish is $1,516,014, down 5.3% in a year, against $591,879 for Washington and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $1,407,300.
How are the public schools in Sammamish?
Sammamish's 13 public schools graduate 94.4% of students in four years (Washington 83.6%), with 19.9 students per teacher and $17,113 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Sammamish?
The average commute is 29.3 minutes, #1065 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 27.2 minutes across Washington. 8.3% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Sammamish?
Sammamish averages 51.7°F over the year, 63.3°F in summer and 41.4°F in winter, with 63.3 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Sammamish walkable?
Sammamish scores 9.3 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #777 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Sammamish at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts King County's biggest natural hazard losses in earthquake and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.25% of building value, higher than 83% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Sammamish?
King County's air had a median air quality index of 43, and 67% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Sammamish?
Sammamish has 66,463 residents. The median resident of Sammamish is 39.9 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 77.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #12 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 82.6% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Sammamish compare with the rest of Washington?
Sammamish ranks #5 of the 26 Washington cities we track, with a score of 64.2 against Washington's statewide 61.8. Its households earn 2.4 times the Washington median. Homes are 2.6 times the typical Washington home.
What cities are similar in size to Sammamish?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Sammamish's population of 66,463 are Alpharetta, GA (#54 overall), Oshkosh, WI (#377 overall), Novi, MI (#96 overall), Ocala, FL (#962 overall), and Caldwell, ID (#551 overall). Sammamish is #210.