Why Edmonds and Kirkland Are the Only Two Cities With Rising Prices This Year

Why are Edmonds and Kirkland home prices rising while nearby cities fall?

Edmonds and Kirkland were the only two cities in our entire June 2026 market report with rising home prices. Edmonds up 19.7% to a median of $1.1375 million, and Kirkland up 1.6% to $1.575 million. Every other city we track fell. Both are compact, walkable downtowns with waterfront access, and that combination of housing stock and amenities appears to be helping them hold value better than their neighbors.

When almost every city in a report sampling the Puget Sound and Lake Washington “Greater Seattle Area” markets is cooling and two cities are doing the opposite, I want to know why!

Edmonds and Kirkland share a distinct type of downtown that seems to be resonating with buyers this year. I know when I have buyers relocating to Seattle they always want a safe and walkable feel where they can stroll out for coffee and community, and Kirkland and Edmonds top my list as places they should consider taking a look at.

The numbers behind the outperformance

Edmonds’ 19.7% price gain is the single largest of any city in our report this month, a striking result against a backdrop where Lynnwood fell 12.1% and Kenmore fell 8.3%, its immediate neighbors in the same north-Seattle corridor. Kirkland’s 1.6% gain is smaller in percentage terms but stands out even more starkly against its own peer group: Bellevue fell 15.8%, Redmond fell 6.7%, and Sammamish fell 5.7%. Kirkland also posted a 20% increase in closed sales while every other East Side city saw closings decline.

What Edmonds and Kirkland have in common

Both cities center on a small, walkable downtown core with direct water access. Edmonds on Puget Sound with its waterfront ferry terminal and marina, Kirkland on Lake Washington with its own marina and waterfront parks. Both have built out a dense mix of independent restaurants, shops, and public waterfront space within easy walking distance of housing stock, rather than being spread across a large commercial strip. That combination: limited, desirable housing supply paired with walkable amenities, tends to hold up well even when the broader market cools, because there’s simply less of it to go around.

Curious what a home in Edmonds or Kirkland is actually worth right now?
Text HOME to 206-245-8813 and Emily will reach out to help.

Housing stock and inventory matter too

It’s not just amenities… inventory levels are part of the story. Both cities did see new listings and homes for sale increase (Edmonds new listings up 18.4%, Kirkland up 24.6%), so this isn’t a case of zero competition. But both are geographically constrained by water on one side, which naturally limits how much new supply can enter the market compared to cities with more room to expand. The Sound Transit regional system and Washington State Ferries both serve these waterfront downtowns directly, which adds to their commuter appeal without requiring a car-dependent commute — a factor increasingly reflected in national research on walkability and home values from NAR.

What this means if you own in Edmonds or Kirkland

If you own a home in Edmonds or Kirkland, June’s data suggests you’re in one of the stronger positions in our entire market right now, both cities are outperforming their immediate neighbors on price. That doesn’t mean every home sells itself; days on market still ticked up modestly in both cities, so pricing and presentation still matter. But the underlying fundamentals, walkable downtown, waterfront access, constrained supply, are working in sellers’ favor here in a way they aren’t everywhere else. For a closer comparison of value in this corridor, see our post on what $800K buys in Shoreline vs. Edmonds, or our honest look at selling a house in Edmonds or Shoreline in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Edmonds home prices go up in 2026?

Edmonds’ median home price rose 19.7% year over year to $1.1375 million in June 2026, the largest gain of any city in our report. The city’s walkable waterfront downtown, ferry access, and limited housing supply appear to be supporting demand even as neighboring cities like Lynnwood and Kenmore saw prices fall.

Is Kirkland home to a strong housing market right now?

Yes — Kirkland’s median price rose 1.6% year over year to $1.575 million while Bellevue, Redmond, and Sammamish all posted price declines. Kirkland also saw closed sales rise 20%, the only East Side city to post a gain.

What makes Edmonds and Kirkland different from their neighboring cities?

Both center on a compact, walkable downtown with direct waterfront access — Edmonds on Puget Sound, Kirkland on Lake Washington — paired with marinas, waterfront parks, and dense independent retail and dining within walking distance of housing. That combination of amenities and geographically constrained supply appears to be supporting price resilience.

Is now a good time to sell a home in Edmonds or Kirkland?

Current data suggests both markets favor sellers more than most of the region — both posted price gains while most nearby cities declined. A home-specific comparative market analysis is the best way to know what your property could sell for right now.

Ready to talk through what selling in Edmonds or Kirkland looks like for your situation? Text HOME to 206-245-8813 and I’ll reach out to set up a conversation — no pressure, just a straightforward look at your options.

Or visit HomeProAssociates.com to get your home’s value or learn more.

For the full neighborhood overviews, see my Edmonds and Kirkland neighborhood guides.

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Related reading: Edmonds, WA Real Estate Market Update: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know