
9 Best Places To Call Home In Washington In 2025
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is one of the most unique areas of the country to call home. With world-class cities like Seattle, waterfront properties second to none, and memorable scenery with the Pacific Ocean, Mount Rainier, and Olympic National Forest, Washington has long been known as a state in the PNW that outdoor enthusiasts gravitate toward. Because of these factors, Washington can be an expensive state to live in, with a current median house price of around $600,000. But that doesn't mean there aren't small towns that provide all those positives, but at a much lower price tag. With that in mind, learn more about nine towns in Washington that are perfect for calling home and settling down in 2025, without settling at all.
Moses Lake

Located in the heart of Washington sits a town of 25,146 residents, according to the 2020 census. Moses Lake is a quintessential small American town that is big enough for activities to keep you entertained all year long. Take advantage of Moses Lake and its dominant presence in the area by enjoying paddle boards or kayaks from A Ride in the Park / SUP Board Rentals / White Bikes LLC, or rent a boat and yacht to tour the lake from Cascade Marina. There is fantastic golf in the area, as The Links at Moses Pointe is a course you won't get tired of when summer comes around.
Do you want wellness and exercise? Residents gather at the O2 Studio and Bodhi Academy on Third Avenue. You can also exercise your mind by making the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center a recurring hangout to check out exhibits and a great art gallery. Even with all these positives, Moses Lake is still well below the $600,000 median house price state average, with homes going for an average of $364,000, according to Redfin.
Oak Harbor

Another great option to call home in the state of Washington is Oak Harbor, a stunning town of around 25,000 people located on the northwest edge, near the Canadian border in Skagit Bay. You would think a town sitting on the water, leading out to the Pacific Ocean, would have a staggering home price. While it is more expensive than many areas around the country, the median home price in Oak Harbor was $470,000 in June 2025, according to Redfin, which is less than the state's average.

Taking up some of the most scenic real estate in North America, Oak Harbor has plenty for nature lovers to enjoy. Locals love the state parks on three sides of town, including Fort Ebey State Park, Joseph Whidbey State Park, and Dugualla State Park. Drive and check out Libbey Beach for a great view of the water and mountains in the background. Also, don't forget the impressive Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum to take a look at the history of aviation in the area.
Port Angeles

Port Angeles is a scenic town in the northwest corner of the shores of the Salish Sea, which flows into the nearby Pacific Ocean. Sitting just north of Olympic National Park, Port Angeles is a waterfront town of approximately 20,000, according to the 2020 census. Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park is one of the most popular hiking spots in the area, while other trails lead you to the Pacific Ocean and waterfalls. If fishing is your passion, there are unique fishing spots on the ocean or in high-elevation mountain streams to hook your favorite catch.

If you are craving culture, residents head to the Elwha Klallam Carnegie Museum to get to know the Klallam people, or take a selfie with one of the 12 murals scattered around the downtown Port Angeles area. In terms of housing, Port Angeles has a median home price of $450,000, almost $150,000 cheaper than the state average.
Sunnyside

One of the most manageable towns in terms of cost on the list is Sunnyside. According to Redfin, the median home price of $490,000 for Sunnyside is over $100,000 less than the state average for Washington. Located on Highway 82, just east of the Yakama Indian Reservation, this central Washington town has something for everyone in the family. Start your weekends at Adams Wonderland, a family entertainment center/indoor playground.
Enjoy the many flavors of the local area by stopping by Moms Candy Apples for a wide variety of candy apples. If brewing is your thing, Snipes Mountain Brewery and Restaurant is a perfect weekend stop, or you can check out Co Dinn Cellars, where you will taste artfully crafted wines from the region.
Aberdeen

You will find Aberdeen on the western border of Washington on the North Bay shores. One unique fact about Aberdeen is it's often referenced as the "Birthplace of Grunge" since it's the hometown of Nirvana members Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. You can check out the Kurt Cobain Under the Bridge Memorial at the Young Street Bridge or a headstone and guitar sculpture in Kurt Cobain Memorial Park.
If architecture is your thing, feel free to take a homes tour around town to take in the unique architecture and historic homes in Aberdeen. If you are looking to purchase real estate in Aberdeen, the median home price is $287,000 according to Redfin.
Liberty Lake

Sitting on the eastern edge of Washington, on the Idaho border, Liberty Lake is nestled between Spokane, Washington to the west and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to the east. This quiet town of around 12,000 residents makes the most of the nature around it. With the Spokane River on the northern edge of town and Liberty Lake south, there is fishing, boating, and swimming options for the entire family.
Residents can take advantage of the Hub Sports Center for most sporting activities, hike the Liberty Lake Loop Trail, or take a ride on the Mica Moon Zip Tours & Aerial Park. The feel of Liberty Lake really emphasizes a quiet, small-town community, which makes it a great place to raise a family.
Othello

Othello is a small town of under 10,000 people in central Washington. Although Othello isn't close to the coast, there are plenty of advantages to calling this quiet rural town home. One of the cheapest costs of living on this list, Othello has a June 2025 median home price of $345,000 on Redfin, which is about 43% cheaper than the state average.

If you want to hit the links, residents head to the Othello Golf Club in the southwest part of town. Just north of Othello on W. McManamon Rd is the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, where you can take advantage of the Coyote Lake Trail for hiking, or go check out the Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark for unique natural landscapes.
Yelm

South of the Olympia and Tacoma metro areas is where you will find Yelm, a quiet town of around 10,000 residents, according to the 2020 census, in northwest Washington. Nicknamed the "Gateway to Mount Rainier, the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail gives you a taste of what you would expect from Mount Rainier, with a 14.5-mile trail for hiking or biking while enjoying scenic views. Deschutes Falls is a popular spot for a visual reward during an active hike.
If art is more your thing, residents stop by the Ingenius! Local Artisan Gallery & Boutique to appreciate the pottery, paintings, and leather work of the area. After a long day of outdoor activity and discovering out local art, get a slice of pizza at the Pizzeria La Gitana.
Pullman

With a 2022 census of 32,508, Pullman is an active and young college town in the southeast corner of the state, home of Washington State University. Take the family to Palouse Discovery Science Center for educational programs and exhibits. Head to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, where you will see inspiring paintings and exhibits. The WSU Arboretum is a great spot to view some of the unique flowers and plant life known in the Pacific Northwest.
If you are looking to put down roots in Pullman, the median home price of $425,000, according to Redfin, and it is a great opportunity to live in a smaller town with a Division I university.
These towns show that when it comes to Washington, you really can have it all. Calling one of these nine towns home, means you won't have to compromise unforgettable waterfront scenery in Oak Harbor, a young vibrant Division I college town of Pullman, or a hip underground town with deep music history of Aberdeen. Add to the fact that all these towns have home prices below the state average, and you can see why people are looking past the big city life and toward the small town treasures.