RossHelen // Shutterstock

- Population: 20,797
- Median home value: $777,500
- Median rental price: $2,134

- Top schools nearby: North Creek High School (grade A+), Cedar Wood Elementary School (grade A), Henry M. Jackson High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), Shoreline Christian School (grade A), Archbishop Murphy High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#21. Mill Creek, Washington

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- Population: 4,102
- Median home value: $874,800
- Median rental price: $1,310

- Top schools nearby: Issaquah High School (grade A+), Cedar River Elementary (grade A), Liberty Senior High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Rainier Christian Schools (grade A), St. Joseph Parish School (grade A), Renton Christian School (grade unavailable)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#20. Mirrormont, Washington

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- Population: 8,128
- Median home value: $689,800
- Median rental price: $2,978

- Top schools nearby: Ella Baker Elementary School (grade A+), Clara Barton Elementary School (grade A), Eagle Rock Multiage School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Overlake School (grade A+), The Bear Creek School (grade A+), Brightmont Academy - Redmond (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#19. Duvall, Washington

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- Population: 42,705
- Median home value: $761,300
- Median rental price: $1,821

- Top schools nearby: North Creek High School (grade A+), Decatur Elementary School (grade A), Robert Eagle Staff Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+), The Northwest School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#18. Edmonds, Washington

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- Population: 58,673
- Median home value: $711,500
- Median rental price: $1,853

- Top schools nearby: North Creek High School (grade A+), Decatur Elementary School (grade A), Northwood Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#17. Shoreline, Washington

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- Population: 21,365
- Median home value: $760,700
- Median rental price: $1,999

- Top schools nearby: North Creek High School (grade A+), Mukilteo Elementary School (grade A−), Endeavour Elementary School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), Bishop Blanchet High School (grade A+), Shoreline Christian School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#16. Mukilteo, Washington

oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

- Population: 23,233
- Median home value: $1,094,000
- Median rental price: $2,233

- Top schools nearby: International Community School (grade A+), North Creek High School (grade A+), Redmond High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), The Bear Creek School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#15. Cottage Lake, Washington

Akarawut // Shutterstock

- Population: 2,923
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: International School (grade A+), Bellevue High School (grade A+), Islander Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#14. Medina, Washington

YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

- Population: 1,118
- Median home value: $1,550,600
- Median rental price: $1,625

- Top schools nearby: Robert Eagle Staff Middle School (grade A), Maplewood Parent Cooperative (grade A−), Edmonds Woodway High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), Bishop Blanchet High School (grade A+), Shoreline Christian School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#13. Woodway, Washington

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- Population: 47,917
- Median home value: $796,900
- Median rental price: $2,174

- Top schools nearby: North Creek High School (grade A+), Woodinville High School (grade A), Shelton View Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#12. Bothell, Washington

Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

- Population: 23,611
- Median home value: $803,000
- Median rental price: $1,850

- Top schools nearby: International Community School (grade A+), North Creek High School (grade A+), Shelton View Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#11. Kenmore, Washington

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

- Population: 24,681
- Median home value: $985,400
- Median rental price: $1,965

- Top schools nearby: Ordway Elementary School (grade A), Capt. Johnston Blakely Elementary School (grade A), Capt. Charles Wilkes Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: West Sound Academy (grade A), Montessori Country School (grade unavailable), Gateway Christian Schools - Eagles Campus (grade unavailable)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#10. Bainbridge Island, Washington

Laura Beach // Shutterstock

- Population: 13,462
- Median home value: $874,200
- Median rental price: $1,992

- Top schools nearby: North Creek High School (grade A+), Lockwood Elementary School (grade A), Decatur Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#9. Lake Forest Park, Washington

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

- Population: 13,301
- Median home value: $917,700
- Median rental price: $2,263

- Top schools nearby: International Community School (grade A+), North Creek High School (grade A+), Ella Baker Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#8. Woodinville, Washington

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

- Population: 92,015
- Median home value: $937,700
- Median rental price: $2,250

- Top schools nearby: International Community School (grade A+), International School (grade A+), Bellevue High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#7. Kirkland, Washington

Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

- Population: 39,400
- Median home value: $891,500
- Median rental price: $2,409

- Top schools nearby: Skyline High School (grade A+), Issaquah High School (grade A+), Cougar Ridge Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), Seattle Academy (grade A+), The Northwest School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#6. Issaquah, Washington

Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

- Population: 12,931
- Median home value: $1,036,200
- Median rental price: $2,163

- Top schools nearby: Newport High School (grade A+), International School (grade A+), Bellevue Big Picture School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), Northwest Yeshiva High School (grade A+), Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#5. Newcastle, Washington

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Population: 25,464
- Median home value: $1,683,600
- Median rental price: $2,315

- Top schools nearby: Bellevue High School (grade A+), Mercer Island High School (grade A+), West Mercer Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), UPrep (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#4. Mercer Island, Washington

F8 studio // Shutterstock

- Population: 66,586
- Median home value: $1,139,100
- Median rental price: $2,627

- Top schools nearby: Tesla STEM High School (grade A+), International Community School (grade A+), Redmond High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+), The Bear Creek School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#3. Sammamish, Washington

FamVeld // Shutterstock

- Population: 3,108
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: International School (grade A+), Bellevue High School (grade A+), Clara Barton Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

#2. Clyde Hill, Washington

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

- Population: 1,280
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: International School (grade A+), Bellevue High School (grade A+), Renaissance School of Art & Reasoning (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lakeside School (grade A+), The Overlake School (grade A+), Eastside Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

#1. Yarrow Point, Washington