A new ranking is spotlighting the most desirable places to live in Snohomish County right now, with five communities all earning top overall grades.
The list, released by Niche, evaluates communities based on factors like schools, crime, cost of living, jobs, and lifestyle.
Top 5 Places To Live In Snohomish County (2026):
- #1 Woodway — A
- #2 Mill Creek — A
- #3 Edmonds — A
- #4 Esperance — A
- #5 Mukilteo — A
Top Spots To Know
No. 1 – Woodway
Woodway tops the list with strong marks across the board, including A grades for families, nightlife, and outdoor activities, and an A+ for health and fitness. It also earned an A- for public schools and jobs. Housing (C+) and cost of living (C-) were weaker spots, reflecting the area’s high price point.
Median home value tops $2 million, with a median household income of $204,583.
No. 2 – Mill Creek
Mill Creek stands out for balance, earning A grades in public schools, families, nightlife, diversity, health and fitness, and outdoor activities. It also received a B for jobs and commute. Like others on the list, housing (C) and cost of living (C-) remain challenges.
Median home value is about $903,800, with median household income around $124,364.
No. 3 – Edmonds
Edmonds scores highly for lifestyle, earning A grades for nightlife, families, outdoor activities, and an A+ for health and fitness. It also received B+ grades for jobs, diversity, and commute. Housing (C-) and cost of living (C-) again weighed down scores.
Median home value is about $890,100, with median household income around $122,449.
No. 4 – Esperance
Esperance posts strong lifestyle scores, including A+ for nightlife and health and fitness, along with A grades for families and outdoor activities. It also earned B+ grades for jobs, diversity, and commute. Housing (C+) and cost of living (C-) remain limiting factors.
Median home value is about $790,700, with a median household income of $148,640.
No. 5 – Mukilteo
Mukilteo rounds out the list with high marks in key areas, including A grades for public schools, families, diversity, outdoor activities, and an A+ for health and fitness. It also received A- for nightlife and B+ for jobs. Housing (C) and cost of living (C-) again reflect affordability pressures.
Median home value is about $884,900, with median household income around $132,861.
What Stands Out
Lifestyle leads the rankings. All five communities earned A-level scores in categories like outdoor activities, health, and nightlife, highlighting the county’s strong quality of life.
Affordability remains a challenge. Every top-ranked area received C-range grades for housing and cost of living, underscoring the region’s high home prices.
Strong options for families. Each location scored well for family-friendliness and schools, making them attractive for long-term living.
The Bottom Line
These rankings show there’s no one-size-fits-all “best” place to live in Snohomish County.
Woodway offers exclusivity and high-end living, while Mill Creek and Mukilteo provide a more balanced suburban feel. Edmonds and Esperance stand out for lifestyle and access to amenities.
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