B-

Overall75.7kPopulation

Explore Map ↗

B-

ReloScore

75.7kPopulation

Photo: Wikipedia

Redmond, WA

Summary

Redmond, Washington, is a globally recognized technology hub best known as the headquarters of Microsoft and a major center for gaming and biotech innovation. With a population of 75,721, the city attracts a highly educated, affluent workforce of engineers, developers, and researchers, creating a fast-paced, career-driven environment. For conservative-leaning singles and parents considering relocation, Redmond offers world-class employment opportunities and exceptional public schools, but it comes with a staggering cost of living and a distinctly progressive political culture. The city's identity is defined by its fusion of suburban comfort and corporate ambition, drawing people who prioritize career growth and outdoor recreation over traditional community rootedness.

Who lives in Redmond: A young, educated, and transient workforce

Redmond's population is notably young and highly transient, with a median age of 35 reflecting a city dominated by early- to mid-career professionals. The city is exceptionally well-educated — 74.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, more than double the national average, a direct result of the tech industry's concentration. The population is diverse, with a foreign-born share of 29.8%, and the largest racial demographic shift has been the East and Southeast Asian community, which has grown substantially over the past decade, now making up 17.0% of residents. This growth is tied directly to the tech sector's recruitment of talent from China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The overall population trajectory is stable to slowly growing, as high housing costs and limited new construction constrain expansion. The culture is overwhelmingly secular, progressive, and oriented around work, with many residents viewing Redmond as a career stepping stone rather than a permanent home. For conservative families, this means fewer traditional community institutions like churches or civic organizations compared to similarly sized suburbs in the Midwest or South.

Economy and cost of living: High salaries meet extreme housing costs

Redmond's economy is dominated by a single employer — Microsoft employs roughly 50,000 people in the city, making it the defining economic force. Other major employers include gaming giant Nintendo of America, biotech firms like Genentech, and a growing cluster of cloud-computing and AI startups. The median household income of $162,099 is among the highest in the nation, but it is largely offset by a median home value of $1,091,700 — nearly triple the national median. Renters face a median rent of $2,343, though actual rents for a one-bedroom apartment in a desirable complex often exceed $2,800. Homeownership sits at just 45.2%, well below the national average, reflecting the difficulty of entering the market even for dual-income tech households. Compared to nearby suburbs like Kirkland or Bellevue, Redmond is slightly more affordable for renters but equally expensive for buyers. For conservative families, the high cost of housing is the single biggest barrier to relocation, and the lack of affordable single-family homes under $800,000 is a recurring frustration. Washington state has no income tax, which helps offset some costs, but high sales tax (10.1% in King County) and property taxes on million-dollar homes add significant ongoing expenses.

Daily life and quality of life: Safe, walkable pockets, but car-dependent overall

Redmond offers a high quality of life for those who can afford it, with a violent crime rate of just 104.1 per 100,000 residents — roughly one-third the national average — making it one of the safest cities of its size in the country. Property crime is more common, particularly bike and package theft in denser neighborhoods. The city's walkability is concentrated in the downtown "Redmond Town Center" area, where residents can access shops, restaurants, and the new light rail station that connects to Seattle in about 40 minutes. Outside this core, the city is car-dependent, with sprawling tech campuses and suburban subdivisions. The public schools are excellent — Lake Washington School District consistently ranks among the top 5% in Washington, with Redmond High and Tesla STEM High School drawing families specifically for education. Outdoor amenities are exceptional: the 40-mile Sammamish River Trail runs through the city, linking to Lake Washington and the Burke-Gilman Trail, and Marymoor Park offers 640 acres of sports fields, a climbing wall, and a dog park. Daily life for families revolves around school, extracurriculars, and weekend outdoor activities, but the social scene for single adults is heavily work-centric, with many social events organized through employer groups. The weather — overcast and rainy from October through June — is a common complaint among transplants from sunnier states.

Looking ahead, Redmond's trajectory is one of continued densification and rising costs, driven by Microsoft's ongoing expansion and the new light rail connection to Seattle. The city is a strong fit for high-earning tech professionals who prioritize career advancement, safety, and outdoor recreation, and who are comfortable in a politically progressive, secular environment. It is a poor fit for families on a single income below $150,000, for those seeking a tight-knit, traditional community, or for anyone who values sunny weather. What truly distinguishes Redmond is its identity as a company town in the 21st century — a place where a single corporation's culture and compensation structure shape nearly every aspect of daily life, from housing prices to school schedules to the social calendar.

ReloMaps Score6/10

B-

HousingHousing Affordability3/10

Unaffordable: 6.7x income

Population Density5/10

Urban: 4,563/sq mi

AirAir Quality9/10

Great: 41 AQI

HealthcareHealthcare Access10/10

Excellent

StabilityPopulation Stability5/10

Shifting

CostCost of Living1/10

Expensive: 276 index

Economic Opportunity8/10

Strong: $162k median

Job Market6/10

Stable: 4.2% unemployment

Wealth Floor10/10

Great

Taxes5/10

Moderate: 10.7% burden

Crime & Safety8/10

Very Safe

TrafficTraffic Safety7/10

Safe

Education10/10

Strong

DegreedPopulation Education Level10/10

High: 75% degreed

HomesteadingHomesteading Potential8/10

Prime

WaterTap Water9/10

Clean

National DisasterNational Disaster Risk1/10

High-Risk

Power Grid8/10

Reliable: ~157 min/yr

Find The Best Places To Live
in Redmond

PRO TIP! You can paste a Zillow or Redfin link to get info on that property.

What It's Like Living in Redmond, WA

Redmond, Washington, is a city that wears its identity as the home of Microsoft like a well-tailored tech badge, but there’s more to it than campus badges and stock options. It’s a place where the daily rhythm is set by a mix of software engineers, biotech researchers, and families who’ve traded the urban grind for a suburban life that still feels connected to the outdoors. If you’re considering a move here, you’re likely looking at a community that’s affluent, educated, and surprisingly active—where the biggest complaint isn’t about crime but about the traffic on 520 during a Mariners game.

Daily Rhythm: The Tech-Town Tempo

Life in Redmond moves at a pace that’s fast but not frantic. The average commute is just over 23 minutes, which is notably short for the Seattle metro area, and that’s largely because many residents work within a few miles of home—Microsoft’s main campus alone employs tens of thousands. You’ll see people in Patagonia vests and jeans cycling to work along the Sammamish River Trail, grabbing coffee at Five Stones Coffee Co. or a quick lunch at Pomegranate Bistro. The median age is 35, and with 74.7% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, conversations at the grocery store or the dog park often drift toward tech trends or the latest startup. Weekends are for the outdoors: hiking at Marymoor Park (home to the popular “Marymoor Dog Park” and summer concerts), paddleboarding on Lake Sammamish, or hitting the Redmond Saturday Market for local produce and crafts. The median household income of $162,099 reflects a city where dual-income tech couples are the norm, and the cost of living index of 276 (more than double the national average) means housing is the dominant expense—median home values hover around $1.09 million, making homeownership a stretch for anyone not in the upper income brackets.

Sports & Community: More Than Just a Soccer Mom Vibe

Sports here aren’t a religion, but they’re a solid hobby. The Redmond High School Mustangs football and soccer games draw decent crowds, especially during rivalry matches against Lake Washington or Eastlake, but the real energy is in youth sports—soccer, lacrosse, and swimming leagues are packed with kids whose parents treat Saturday games as social events. For pro sports, Redmond is a 20-minute drive from Seattle’s Lumen Field (Seahawks, Sounders) and T-Mobile Park (Mariners), so many residents are season-ticket holders who commute in for games. The city itself hosts the Redmond Derby Days festival each July, a quirky tradition that includes a community parade, a carnival, and the “World’s Largest Salmon BBQ”—a nod to the region’s fishing heritage. The Microsoft Campus also has its own sports culture, with intramural leagues and a massive fitness center that’s practically a perk of the job. If you’re a single person, the scene can feel a bit family-centric after 8 PM, but the Matador (a lively Mexican restaurant and bar) and Woodblock (a craft cocktail spot) offer adult hangouts that stay busy on weekends.

What’s There to Do: Outdoor Obsession Meets Tech Perks

Redmond’s biggest cultural quirk is how seriously it takes the outdoors. The Sammamish River Trail runs right through town, connecting to the 27-mile Burke-Gilman Trail, and on any sunny weekend you’ll see a parade of cyclists, runners, and stroller-pushing parents. Marymoor Park is the crown jewel—460 acres with a climbing wall, a velodrome, and the Marymoor Concerts series that brings acts like Death Cab for Cutie and the Lumineers. For indoor entertainment, the Redmond Town Center is the main shopping and dining hub, with a movie theater, a bowling alley, and chain restaurants mixed with local spots like Bai Tong Thai. The Microsoft Visitor Center is a free, low-key museum that tech enthusiasts enjoy, but it’s not a major draw for most. The biggest frustration for residents is the lack of a true nightlife scene—bars close early, and the options for live music are limited to a few venues like the Pioneer Saloon (a dive bar with karaoke) or the Lucky 7 Bar & Grill. For a more vibrant scene, you’ll head to Bellevue or Seattle, which adds 15–30 minutes to your evening.

Pros and Cons of Living Here

Pro: Safety and schools. The violent crime rate is 104.1 per 100,000 residents—well below the national average—and the public schools (part of the Lake Washington School District) are consistently rated among the best in Washington. Families move here specifically for the schools, which are a central part of community life.
Con: Cost of living. The median home value of $1.09 million and a cost of living index of 276 mean that even high earners feel the pinch. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment often exceeds $2,200, and dining out is noticeably expensive.
Pro: Commute and amenities. A 23-minute average commute is a luxury in the Seattle area, and the city is packed with parks, trails, and tech-adjacent perks like free Microsoft shuttle buses and corporate cafeterias that are open to the public.
Con: Weather and traffic. The gray, drizzly winters (November through March) can wear on newcomers, and the traffic on SR-520 and I-405 during peak hours is a genuine headache—especially when a Seahawks game or a Microsoft event coincides with rush hour.
Pro: Career opportunities. Beyond Microsoft, Redmond is home to Genentech, Nintendo of America, and a growing biotech sector. If you work in tech or life sciences, you’re in the epicenter.
Con: Social scene for singles. The city skews heavily toward families and couples. Singles in their 20s and 30s often find the dating pool limited and the social events geared toward parents or corporate networking.