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Living in Sammamish, Washington

A serene plateau city between Lake Sammamish and the Cascade foothills, Sammamish is prized for top-ranked schools, safety, and abundant green space — a quintessential family suburb.

Sammamish, WA homes have a median price around $1,325,000 (about $344/sq ft), with a typical commute of about 18 minutes to Microsoft (Redmond) and roughly 42 minutes to downtown Seattle.

Sammamish, Washington
County
King County
Drive to Seattle
~42 min
Schools
Issaquah & Lake Washington School Districts
Property tax rate
0.92%
Why people move to Sammamish

Parents move here for the schools and the calm: quiet streets, big lots, trees everywhere, and a strong sense of community, all within reach of Eastside tech.

Lifestyle & amenities

Weekend soccer, trails at Soaring Eagle, and lake days at the state park. Newer construction, larger homes, and a peaceful residential rhythm define the plateau.

The housing market

Premium family market with newer, larger homes. Inventory is mostly move-up single-family; true starter homes are scarce.

Top-ranked Issaquah & Lake Washington schoolsQuiet, safe, and family-orientedLake Sammamish and foothill trails

Best for: Families prioritizing top schools, safety, and newer homes.

Popular Sammamish neighborhoods

Klahanie — master-planned, amenities
Pine Lake — lake access, parks
Trossachs — newer, foothill setting

Schools

Served primarily by:

Issaquah & Lake Washington School Districts

Commute to work

  • Microsoft (Redmond)~18m
  • Costco HQ (Issaquah)~12m
  • Downtown Seattle~34m

Approximate off-peak drive times.

Parks & outdoors

  • Lake Sammamish State Park
  • Soaring Eagle Regional Park
  • Beaver Lake Park

Sammamish home-buying FAQ

How far is Sammamish from downtown Seattle?

Sammamish is roughly 42 minutes from downtown Seattle by car in typical morning traffic. Closer-in job centers include Microsoft (Redmond) (about 18 minutes) and Costco HQ (Issaquah) (about 12 minutes).

Which school district serves Sammamish?

Sammamish is served primarily by Issaquah & Lake Washington School Districts.

What are the most popular neighborhoods in Sammamish?

Buyers most often shop Klahanie, Pine Lake, Trossachs.

What is the housing market like in Sammamish?

Premium family market with newer, larger homes. Inventory is mostly move-up single-family; true starter homes are scarce.

What are property taxes like in Sammamish?

Sammamish is in King County, where the effective property-tax rate is about 0.92% of assessed value — roughly $6,900 a year on a $750,000 home.

What is there to do outdoors in Sammamish?

Local favorites include Lake Sammamish State Park, Soaring Eagle Regional Park, Beaver Lake Park.

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