Community Spotlight: Sammamish, Washington

Sammamish has a reputation for being one of the more desirable and, yes, more expensive communities on the Eastside. But there’s more to the city than big homes and big price tags.

Sitting on the plateau between Lake Sammamish and the Snoqualmie Valley, Sammamish combines established neighborhoods, newer construction, lakes, trails and parks with relatively easy access to the major employment centers of Redmond and Bellevue.

And while the single family housing market here definitely commands a premium, there’s a surprisingly wide gap between what it costs to buy a house and what it costs to get into Sammamish with a condo.

Lifestyle

One of the defining characteristics of Sammamish is that it doesn’t really have a traditional downtown.

Instead, much of the city is made up of residential neighborhoods connected by 228th Avenue, with shopping, restaurants and everyday services clustered in areas such as Sammamish Highlands and Pine Lake Village. More shopping and dining is available nearby in Issaquah, including Grand Ridge Plaza.

That layout contributes to the suburban feel Sammamish is known for. You’re close to Redmond, Bellevue and Issaquah, but once you’re back on the plateau, it feels considerably more residential.

Outdoor recreation is a big part of the appeal.

The East Lake Sammamish Trail stretches along the eastern side of Lake Sammamish, while Beaver Lake and Pine Lake provide more opportunities to get outside closer to home. Lake Sammamish State Park is nearby with trails, beaches and water access, and mountain biking at Duthie Hill is just outside the city.

Then there’s Sahalee Country Club, with its 27 hole championship golf course and history of hosting major professional golf events.

Sammamish is also served by both the Lake Washington and Issaquah school districts, something that continues to play a significant role in housing demand throughout the area.

For commuters, Redmond is just to the north, Bellevue is roughly 15 miles away and I 90 provides the primary route toward Seattle.

The Market

Now for the numbers.

Looking at closed NWMLS sales over the past 12 months, from October 30, 2025 through October 29, 2026, there were 576 residential sales in Sammamish.

Across all residential property types, the median sales price was approximately $1,584,000.

But Sammamish is a great example of why looking at one citywide number doesn’t tell the whole story.

Single Family Homes

Single family homes accounted for the overwhelming majority of sales, with 524 closed transactions during the 12 month period.

The median sales price was approximately:

$1,628,000

That price point reflects the housing stock Sammamish is known for. Many neighborhoods feature larger homes, newer construction and lots that offer more space than buyers may find closer to Bellevue or Seattle.

At the upper end, Sammamish can go considerably higher.

The highest residential sale in this data set closed at approximately $6.98 million.

So yes, Sammamish can get a little bougie.

Townhomes

Townhomes represent a much smaller portion of the Sammamish housing market.

There were 22 townhome sales in the data, with a median sales price of approximately:

$819,000

That is still a substantial price point, but it represents a significant step down from the median single family home.

For buyers who want the Sammamish location without needing a large detached home and yard, townhomes can create another path into the community.

Condos

Here’s where the numbers get especially interesting.

There were 30 condo sales, with a median sales price of approximately:

$516,000

That puts the median condo at less than one third of the median single family home price.

For someone who wants access to the Sammamish lifestyle, location and surrounding amenities but doesn’t need a traditional house, the condo market creates a dramatically different entry point.

Of course, buyers need to look beyond the purchase price when considering a condo. HOA dues, reserves, assessments and the overall financial health of the association all matter.

But the price difference is hard to ignore.

A Market With Very Different Entry Points

When someone says, “Homes in Sammamish cost $1.6 million,” they’re not exactly wrong.

They’re just not telling the whole story.

The past 12 months show three very different markets operating within the same city:

Single family homes: approximately $1.628 million

Townhomes: approximately $819,000

Condos: approximately $516,000

That’s more than a $1.1 million difference between the median condo and median single family home.

It’s a good reminder that citywide median prices are useful for understanding the general market, but they aren’t necessarily useful for determining what an individual buyer can purchase or what a particular home is worth.

Property type, neighborhood, condition, lot, size and location within Sammamish can all make a substantial difference.

Thinking About a Move?

Sammamish offers something that can be difficult to replicate elsewhere on the Eastside: established residential neighborhoods, extensive outdoor recreation and proximity to major employment centers while still feeling removed from the busiest parts of the region.

It isn’t an inexpensive market, particularly if a detached home is the goal. But as the numbers show, there are multiple ways into Sammamish depending on the type of property you’re looking for.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Sammamish, or anywhere in King or Snohomish County, I’m always happy to help you look beyond the broad market numbers and figure out what they actually mean for your situation.

Bill Jordan
Managing Broker
CENTURY 21 Real Estate Center