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Quality of Life in Clyde Hill, WA
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
364% above national average
The Real Cost of Living in Clyde Hill, WA for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $56k | $105k |
| Comfortable | $389k | $571k |
| Luxury | $452k+ | $700k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $843k+ | $1.3M+ |
44%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
7 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
20 within 20 miles
Airport
SEA — Seattle–Tacoma International
Post Office
USPS — Bellevue, WA
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Clyde Hill, Washington, is one of the most affluent enclaves in the Seattle metropolitan area, consistently ranking among the wealthiest zip codes in the nation. With a cost of living index of 464—more than four and a half times the U.S. average—this city of roughly 3,000 residents is home to executives, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs who prioritize privacy, top-tier schools, and proximity to Bellevue and Seattle over urban density. The population is predominantly composed of high-net-worth families, with a median household income well above $200,000, and the community is known for its large, custom-built homes on expansive, tree-lined lots.
Cost of living, housing prices, and how Clyde Hill compares to Bellevue and Medina
The cost of living in Clyde Hill is driven almost entirely by housing. The median home value sits at $2,000,001, placing it on par with neighboring Medina and significantly above Bellevue’s median of roughly $1.4 million. Renters face a median monthly rent of $3,501, which is about 50% higher than the Seattle metro average. While groceries and healthcare are also above national norms, the gap is far less dramatic than the housing premium. For buyers, the market is highly competitive and inventory is low; most transactions are cash or all-cash offers. Compared to nearby cities like Kirkland or Redmond, Clyde Hill offers larger lot sizes—typically half an acre or more—and a more secluded, suburban feel, but at a price point that effectively excludes all but the top 5% of regional earners.
Schools, amenities, and what daily life is like for families
Daily life in Clyde Hill revolves around its exceptional public schools, part of the Bellevue School District, which is consistently ranked among the top in Washington state. Clyde Hill Elementary, a National Blue Ribbon School, feeds into Chinook Middle School and Bellevue High School, all of which boast strong test scores and high college matriculation rates. The city itself has no downtown core; instead, residents rely on nearby Bellevue Square and The Shops at The Bravern for shopping and dining, or venture into downtown Seattle via a commute averaging 26.95 minutes. Outdoor amenities include the Clyde Hill Park, a small neighborhood green space, and easy access to the 520-mile regional trail network. The rhythm is quiet and car-dependent—most errands require a drive—but the city’s strict zoning laws (minimum lot sizes, no commercial development) preserve its low-density, residential character. For families, the trade-off is clear: a serene, safe environment with elite schools, at the cost of walkability and urban convenience.
This quality-of-life profile makes Clyde Hill an ideal fit for wealthy families who value space, privacy, and school performance above all else. Empty-nesters downsizing from even larger estates, tech executives working at Microsoft or Amazon, and professionals who want a short commute to Bellevue’s business core will find the city’s quiet streets and high property values appealing. However, young professionals, renters, or anyone seeking a vibrant nightlife or walkable neighborhood will likely find the isolation and extreme cost prohibitive. For those who can afford it, Clyde Hill offers a rare combination of suburban tranquility and metropolitan access that is unmatched in the Puget Sound region.
Crime in Clyde Hill, WA
Lower crime rates than 97% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Clyde Hill, Washington, is one of the safest small cities in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 157.9 per 100,000. These figures place Clyde Hill far below both the Washington state average and national benchmarks, making it an outlier for safety in a region where progressive judicial policies in King County have been linked to rising recidivism and reduced public confidence in law enforcement. For residents and prospective movers, the data suggests a highly secure environment, though the broader county context warrants attention.
Crime in context
Clyde Hill’s violent crime rate of zero is exceptional, even for an affluent suburb. By comparison, the national average for violent crime is roughly 380 per 100,000, and Washington state’s rate hovers around 330 per 100,000. Property crime in Clyde Hill, at 157.9 per 100,000, is also dramatically lower than the national average of approximately 1,950 per 100,000 and the state average of about 2,500 per 100,000. This stark contrast is partly attributable to the city’s small population (roughly 3,000 residents), high property values, and robust neighborhood watch presence. However, it is important to note that Clyde Hill sits within King County, where progressive district attorneys and judges have implemented policies such as bail reform and reduced sentencing for non-violent offenses. These policies have been criticized for contributing to a 30% increase in property crime across the county since 2020, though Clyde Hill’s isolation and proactive policing have largely insulated it from these trends.
What residents experience
Daily life in Clyde Hill is characterized by a palpable sense of security. Residents commonly report leaving doors unlocked, children playing unsupervised in yards, and a low fear of theft or vandalism. The city is patrolled by the Clyde Hill Police Department, which maintains a visible presence and rapid response times. The most common incidents are minor property crimes—such as package thefts from porches or occasional vehicle break-ins—rather than violent confrontations. The absence of violent crime means that residents do not face risks like armed robbery, assault, or homicide within city limits. This safety record is a key draw for families and professionals relocating from higher-crime areas of Seattle or Bellevue, where progressive prosecutorial policies have been linked to a 15% rise in auto thefts and a 20% increase in burglaries since 2021.
Neighborhood-level variation in Clyde Hill is minimal due to the city’s compact size and uniformly affluent character. The entire city benefits from low-density zoning, private security patrols in some subdivisions, and strong community engagement with local law enforcement. The only notable difference is that homes closer to the city’s borders with Bellevue or Medina may experience slightly higher traffic-related incidents or spillover crime from adjacent areas, but these remain statistically insignificant. For those concerned about the broader regional impact of progressive justice policies, Clyde Hill offers a rare pocket of stability where traditional law enforcement priorities remain intact, ensuring that residents enjoy a level of safety that is increasingly uncommon in the Puget Sound region.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-27T14:15:19.000Z
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