Is Lake Stevens Safe, Pros and cons of living in Lake Stevens

Is it Safe to Live in Lake Stevens?

Lake Stevens, Washington, presents a generally safe environment for its residents. The overall crime rate in Lake Stevens is 8 per 1,000 residents, which is around the average for cities of all sizes in the United States (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your likelihood of being a victim of crime in Lake Stevens stands at 1 in 132, according to an analysis of FBI crime data.

When comparing Lake Stevens to other communities in Washington, its crime rate is lower than approximately 63% of Washington communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). For cities of similar population size, Lake Stevens’s crime rate is noticeably lower than the average, suggesting it is safer than most comparable cities across the nation (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The violent crime rate in Lake Stevens is approximately 1 in 861, which is similar to the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing and Cost of Living

The housing market in Lake Stevens is competitive, with a median sale price of $668,000 as of last month, which is a decrease of 7.9% since last year (as reported by Redfin). The median list price is $707,992 (as reported by Zillow). The average rent for all property types in Lake Stevens is $3,000 per month (as reported by Zillow). For a one-bedroom apartment, the average rent is $1,707 per month, and for a two-bedroom apartment, it is $2,269 per month (as reported by Zillow).

The overall cost of living in Lake Stevens is approximately 16% higher than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Housing costs in Lake Stevens are 37% higher than the national average, while utility prices are 8% lower (as reported by PayScale). Transportation expenses, such as gas prices and bus fares, are 17% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Grocery prices in Lake Stevens are 9% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Housing Market Trends

Lake Stevens’s housing market is characterized as very competitive, with homes receiving an average of two offers (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price of a home in Lake Stevens was $668,000 last month, representing a 7.9% decrease from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Lake Stevens typically sell after 23 days on the market, an increase from 7 days last year (as reported by Redfin).

In March 2026, home prices in Lake Stevens were down 7.9% compared to the previous year, with a median sale price of $668,000 (as reported by Redfin). The number of homes sold in March of this year was 46, an increase from 37 in the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The median sale to list ratio was 1.000 as of February 2026 (as reported by Zillow).

Rental Market Insights

The median rent in Lake Stevens stands at $2,700 per month, indicating steady demand for rental housing (as reported by Realtor.com® Research). The average rent in Lake Stevens, WA, is between $1,750 and $2,405 in 2026 (as reported by Apartments.com). A one-bedroom apartment averages $1,750 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment averages $2,405 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lake Stevens, WA, is $1,750 per month (as reported by Zillow). For a two-bedroom apartment, the average rent is $2,269 per month (as reported by Zillow). The average rent for a three-bedroom apartment is $3,000 per month (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Economy

The average annual salary in Lake Stevens is $46,974, which equates to approximately $22.58 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Most salaries in Lake Stevens range between $35,663 (25th percentile) and $55,233 (75th percentile) annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The employment rate in Lake Stevens, WA, is currently 94.54% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).

Major employers in Lake Stevens include the Lake Stevens School District, Cobalt Enterprises, Safeway, Haggen, and Target (as reported by Economic Alliance Snohomish County). The unemployment rate in Lake Stevens, WA, is currently around 5.46%, based on the latest available data (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org, which uses 2021 data). This rate is for working-age individuals actively seeking non-military employment.

Major Employers

Key employers contributing to the local economy include the Lake Stevens School District, which is a significant employer in the education sector (as reported by Economic Alliance Snohomish County). Other major employers providing diverse job opportunities are Cobalt Enterprises, Safeway, Haggen, and Target (as reported by Economic Alliance Snohomish County).

These companies represent a mix of retail, services, and public sector employment, offering a range of opportunities for residents. The presence of these established businesses helps to create a stable job market within the community.

Unemployment and Employment Rates

The employment rate in Lake Stevens, WA, is currently reported at 94.54% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). This figure indicates a strong labor force actively engaged in employment within the area. The unemployment rate, derived from working-age individuals seeking non-military jobs, is approximately 5.46% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org, using 2021 data).

The unemployment rate can fluctuate, but the current figures suggest a healthy job market. Neighborhoods within Lake Stevens may show variations in unemployment rates, with green areas indicating rates of 0-5% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).

Climate and Environment

Lake Stevens experiences a climate where summers are short, comfortable, and partly cloudy, while winters are very cold, wet, and overcast (as reported by Weather Spark). Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 35°F to 77°F, rarely dropping below 24°F or exceeding 86°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The warmest months are June through September, with August being the hottest, averaging a high of 76°F and a low of 54°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The cooler season spans from November to February, with December being the coldest, averaging a low of 35°F and a high of 45°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Precipitation is common, particularly during the winter months, with an average annual rainfall of 48.46 inches (as reported by Plantmaps).

Temperature and Precipitation

The average high temperature in Lake Stevens during the summer peaks in August, reaching around 76°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Conversely, the winter months bring colder temperatures, with December experiencing average highs of approximately 45°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Lake Stevens receives a significant amount of rainfall annually, with an average of 48.46 inches (as reported by Plantmaps).

The wettest season typically runs from October to May, with November often seeing the most days with precipitation (as reported by Weather Spark). The drier period occurs from May to October, with August having the fewest wet days (as reported by Weather Spark).

Education and Demographics

Lake Stevens School District is rated with an overall grade of A- (as reported by Niche). The district serves PK-12 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1 (as reported by Niche). The district is recognized for its performance, ranking among the top in Snohomish County and the state for various categories, including being the #1 best school district in Snohomish County (as reported by Niche).

The population of Lake Stevens is approximately 40,300 residents (as reported by Data USA). The median age in Lake Stevens is 35 years old (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates). The racial makeup of the city is predominantly White, at 67.6%, followed by Hispanic at 11.3%, Asian at 10.1%, and Multiracial at 7.0% (as reported by Lake Stevens, WA Demographics). Approximately 24.2% of the population are children under 15 years old, and about 8.6% are 65 or older (as reported by Lake Stevens, WA Demographics).

School District Performance

Lake Stevens School District has earned a strong reputation, holding an overall Niche grade of A- (as reported by Niche). It is ranked as the best school district in Snohomish County (as reported by Niche). The district consistently outperforms neighboring districts, as indicated by the Washington State Board of Education Achievement Index (as reported by Economic Alliance Snohomish County).

Within the district, individual schools also receive high marks. For example, Lake Stevens Senior High School has a B+ overall Niche grade, and Lake Stevens Middle School has an A- grade (as reported by Niche). These ratings reflect the district’s commitment to providing quality education.

Population and Diversity

Lake Stevens is home to approximately 40,300 residents, with a median age of 35 years (as reported by Data USA and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2017-2021 5-Year Estimates). The population is diverse, with 67.6% identifying as White, 11.3% as Hispanic, 10.1% as Asian, and 7.0% as Multiracial (as reported by Lake Stevens, WA Demographics). The city’s population has shown growth, with an estimated increase since the 2020 Census (as reported by Lake Stevens, WA Demographics).

The age distribution shows that about 24.2% of residents are under 15 years old, and approximately 8.6% are 65 or older (as reported by Lake Stevens, WA Demographics). The gender distribution is nearly even, with 49.3% males and 50.7% females (as reported by Lake Stevens, WA Demographics).