Woodinville
Population: ~13,000
"Washington's Wine Country"
Bothell
Population: ~50,000
"UW Campus & Suburban Energy"
Wine Country vs Campus Life:
The 2026 Northshore Showdown
Two Northshore neighbors with completely different vibes. Woodinville offers vineyard views and tasting rooms. Bothell brings university energy and suburban convenience. Same great schools, different lifestyles. Which fits you?
Woodinville Wine Country
Bothell Campus & Community
The Quick Verdict
Bottom line: Both cities share the excellent Northshore School District and offer safe, family-friendly environments. Woodinville is for wine lovers, horse enthusiasts, and those seeking space and sophistication. Bothell is for those wanting suburban convenience, university culture, and a revitalized downtown scene.
Choose Woodinville If You...
- Love wine tasting and vineyard culture
- Want larger lots and more rural feel
- Enjoy horseback riding and equestrian trails
- Prefer upscale dining and wine bar scene
- Value privacy and a slower pace of life
Choose Bothell If You...
- Want walkable downtown with restaurants & shops
- Appreciate university culture and events
- Love craft breweries and casual dining
- Need more housing variety and price points
- Want access to Burke-Gilman Trail
By The Numbers
Cost of Living Comparison
Lifestyle & Amenities Scores
Two Distinct Lifestyles
Same school district, completely different vibes. Here's what daily life looks like in each city.
The Woodinville Lifestyle
Weekend Mornings
Coffee on the patio overlooking your acre of land. Maybe a horseback ride on nearby trails before the tasting rooms open.
Afternoon Activities
Wine tasting at Chateau Ste. Michelle or DeLille Cellars. Picnics in vineyard gardens. Friends visiting to explore new releases.
Evening Dining
Upscale farm-to-table restaurants like The Herbfarm. Intimate wine bars with live jazz. Sunset dinners with valley views.
Home Life
Larger lots, many 1+ acres. Space for gardens, workshops, maybe horses. Quiet evenings with minimal traffic.
The Bothell Lifestyle
Weekend Mornings
Walk to the farmers market in downtown. Grab coffee at a local cafe. Bike the Burke-Gilman Trail with the family.
Afternoon Activities
Kids at the park or community center. Browse the revitalized Main Street shops. Catch a campus event or lecture at UW Bothell.
Evening Dining
Craft breweries like Foggy Noggin. Diverse restaurants from Thai to BBQ. Live music at local venues. McMenamins Anderson School.
Home Life
More neighborhood variety from condos to family homes. Active HOAs with events. Young professionals and families mixing.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Cost of Living
Bothell More AffordableWoodinville
- Median Home Price: $1.1M - $1.3M
- Median Rent (2BR): $2,400/month
- Average Lot Size: 0.5 - 2+ acres
- Property Tax Rate: ~1.0%
Premium pricing reflects wine country appeal, larger properties, and rural-suburban character. Fewer but more expensive homes.
Bothell
- Median Home Price: $850K - $1.1M
- Median Rent (2BR): $2,100/month
- Average Lot Size: 0.1 - 0.3 acres
- Property Tax Rate: ~1.0%
More housing variety from condos to family homes. Better entry points for first-time buyers. More inventory available.
Schools & Education
Same District - Tie!Woodinville Schools
- District: Northshore School District
- High School: Woodinville High School (9/10 rating)
- Notable: Strong STEM programs, arts
- Class Sizes: Smaller, more intimate
Bothell Schools
- District: Northshore School District
- High School: Bothell High School (8/10 rating)
- Notable: UW Bothell access, Running Start
- Class Sizes: Standard suburban sizing
Entertainment & Dining
Different StrengthsWoodinville Entertainment
- Wineries: 100+ tasting rooms!
- Fine Dining: The Herbfarm, Barking Frog
- Events: Harvest festivals, concerts at wineries
- Outdoors: Sammamish River Trail, horse trails
Woodinville is a destination. Wine tourism brings sophisticated dining, seasonal events, and cultural experiences year-round.
Bothell Entertainment
- Breweries: Foggy Noggin, 192 Brewing
- Dining: McMenamins, diverse cuisines
- Events: UW lectures, Farmers Market, concerts
- Outdoors: Burke-Gilman Trail, North Creek Park
Bothell offers everyday variety. Walkable downtown, casual dining, craft beer scene, and constant community events.
Commute & Transportation
Bothell Better TransitWoodinville Commute
- To Seattle: 30-45 min via I-405/522
- To Bellevue: 15-25 min
- To Redmond: 10-20 min
- Transit: Limited bus service
- Walk Score: 25 (Car-Dependent)
Car is essential. Rural character means limited transit. Great for those working remotely or on Eastside.
Bothell Commute
- To Seattle: 25-40 min via I-405/522
- To Bellevue: 15-25 min
- To Redmond: 10-20 min
- Transit: RapidRide, express buses
- Walk Score: 42 (Car-Dependent)
Better transit options with bus rapid transit. Downtown is walkable. Burke-Gilman Trail for bike commuting.
Family-Friendliness
Both ExcellentWoodinville Families
- Schools: Top-rated Northshore SD
- Space: Large yards for kids to play
- Activities: Horseback riding, outdoor exploring
- Safety: Very low crime, quiet streets
- Community: Tight-knit, know your neighbors
Great for families wanting space, nature, and a slower pace. Kids grow up with room to explore.
Bothell Families
- Schools: Top-rated Northshore SD
- Parks: Many playgrounds, sports fields
- Activities: Community center, youth sports
- Safety: Very low crime, engaged community
- Community: Active HOAs, neighborhood events
Great for families wanting organized activities, more kids nearby, and walkable amenities.
Demographics & Community
Different VibesWoodinville Demographics
- Population: ~13,000
- Median Age: 42
- Median Income: $130,000+
- Homeownership: 75%+
- Vibe: Established families, wine enthusiasts
Older, wealthier demographic. Empty nesters, established professionals, and retirees drawn to wine country lifestyle.
Bothell Demographics
- Population: ~50,000
- Median Age: 36
- Median Income: $110,000+
- Homeownership: 60%+
- Vibe: Young families, students, tech workers
Younger, more diverse population. Mix of UW students, young professionals, and growing families. More rental options.
Safety & Crime
Both Very SafeWoodinville Safety
- Violent Crime: 65% below national avg
- Property Crime: 40% below national avg
- Police: King County Sheriff
- Feel: Very safe, quiet, rural
Bothell Safety
- Violent Crime: 60% below national avg
- Property Crime: 35% below national avg
- Police: Bothell Police Department
- Feel: Very safe, community-oriented
Pros & Cons Summary
Woodinville
Pros
- 100+ world-class wineries
- Larger lots, more privacy
- Rural feel, scenic beauty
- Excellent schools (Northshore SD)
- Upscale dining scene
Cons
- Higher home prices
- Very car-dependent
- Limited transit options
- Fewer everyday conveniences
- Wine tourist crowds on weekends
Bothell
Pros
- More affordable entry points
- Walkable downtown
- UW campus brings culture/events
- Better transit options
- Burke-Gilman Trail access
Cons
- Smaller lot sizes
- More traffic congestion
- Less "destination" appeal
- Student housing impact on some areas
- More suburban sprawl feel
Frequently Asked Questions
Woodinville is generally more expensive due to its wine country appeal and larger lot sizes. Median home prices in Woodinville are around $1.1-1.3M, while Bothell ranges from $850K-1.1M. Bothell offers more variety in housing options and price points, making it more accessible for first-time buyers.
Yes! Both cities are primarily served by the Northshore School District, one of the top-rated districts in Washington State. This means families get excellent schools in either city with consistent curriculum and programs. This is actually a major advantage - you can choose based on lifestyle without compromising on education.
Woodinville is Washington's premier wine country destination with 100+ wineries and tasting rooms. It offers a rural-suburban feel with larger properties, horse trails, and a slower pace of life. Perfect for wine enthusiasts, those seeking space, and anyone who values privacy and a connection to nature.
Bothell features the UW Bothell campus bringing academic energy and young professionals. It has a revitalized downtown with breweries, restaurants, and shops. The Burke-Gilman Trail runs through, and there's more suburban density with better transit options and walkability.
Both are excellent for families with access to the same Northshore School District. Woodinville offers more space, outdoor activities, and a quieter environment - great for kids who love nature and need room to roam. Bothell provides more community programs, sports leagues, parks, and activities centered around its downtown. Your choice depends on your family's lifestyle preferences.
Both have similar commute times to Seattle: 25-40 minutes depending on traffic via I-405 and SR-522. Bothell has slightly better transit options with bus rapid transit (RapidRide). Commutes to Eastside employers like Microsoft are 15-25 minutes from either city. For remote workers, both are excellent choices.
It depends on your preferences. Woodinville wins for wine tasting (100+ wineries!), upscale dining like The Herbfarm, and outdoor recreation on horse trails. Bothell excels in craft breweries, casual dining, live music, university events, and the walkable downtown scene. Woodinville for sophistication and wine culture, Bothell for everyday variety and community events.
Yes, both cities have very low crime rates compared to national and state averages. Both offer safe, family-friendly environments with active community involvement and responsive police services. Woodinville feels slightly safer due to its rural character and lower density, but the difference is minimal - both are excellent choices for safety-conscious families.
Ready to Move to the Northshore?
Whether you choose Woodinville's wine country charm or Bothell's campus energy, Next Phase Moving delivers premium service throughout the Northshore. Get your free quote today.
Get Your Free Moving QuoteOr call: (253) 365-4846