Most Expensive
Luxury Neighborhoods
in Seattle

Medina is the most expensive neighborhood in the Seattle area, with a median home price exceeding $6 million. This exclusive lakefront community on Lake Washington is home to Bill Gates and offers ultra-luxury estates with private docks and panoramic views. Many properties in Medina sell for $10 million to $50 million+, making it one of the most expensive residential areas in the entire United States.

Seattle's billionaires primarily reside in Medina, Hunts Point, and Clyde Hill. These three exclusive communities on Lake Washington's Eastside offer maximum privacy, waterfront estates, and some of the highest property values in the Pacific Northwest. Bill Gates, for example, lives in a 66,000-square-foot estate in Medina valued at over $130 million. Other tech executives and entrepreneurs from Microsoft, Amazon, and other major companies also call these neighborhoods home.

Living in Medina requires significant wealth. Median home prices exceed $6 million, with many estates priced at $10M-$50M+. Property taxes can exceed $60,000-$100,000 annually depending on home value. Beyond the purchase price, residents typically invest in property maintenance, landscaping services, private security, and utilities. The community attracts tech executives, entrepreneurs, and established wealth from around the world.

Yes, Mercer Island is very expensive with a median home price around $2.5 million. This island community in Lake Washington offers excellent schools (consistently ranked among Washington's best), waterfront living, and easy commute access to Seattle and Bellevue via I-90 bridges. While it's more affordable than Medina or Hunts Point, Mercer Island still ranks among the top 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the Seattle metro area, making it highly desirable for affluent families.

Luxury amenities in Seattle's most expensive neighborhoods include private docks and boat moorage, multi-acre estate grounds with professional landscaping, state-of-the-art smart home technology, temperature-controlled wine cellars, private home theaters, infinity pools with lake views, private beaches, gated 24/7 security, home fitness centers and sport courts, and access to concierge services. Many estates also feature guest houses, tennis courts, outdoor kitchens, and panoramic water and mountain views.

While both are ultra-exclusive waterfront communities, Medina is larger (population ~3,000) with higher median prices ($6M+) and is home to tech billionaires like Bill Gates. Hunts Point is smaller (population ~400) and occupies a private gated peninsula with 100% waterfront properties. Hunts Point offers more privacy and seclusion with its single gated entrance, while Medina offers slightly more residential variety. Both communities provide ultimate luxury, but Hunts Point is often considered the more private and intimate of the two.

Luxury homes in Seattle's top neighborhoods have historically been excellent long-term investments. The limited supply of waterfront land, strong tech economy, and high demand from wealthy buyers have driven consistent appreciation. Neighborhoods like Medina, Hunts Point, and Mercer Island have seen values increase substantially over the past decades. However, luxury real estate can be more sensitive to economic cycles, and holding periods of 5-10+ years are typically recommended for optimal returns.