Kirkland and Bellevue Named Among the Best Small Cities for Growing Careers in 2026
If you're looking for a place where career opportunities, quality of life, and beautiful surroundings intersect, the Eastside of Seattle continues to stand out.
A recent study by CoworkingCafe ranked Kirkland and Bellevue, Washington among the best small cities in the U.S. for growing careers, highlighting the region’s strong job market, high salaries, and exceptional lifestyle.
The top 20 cities
Kirkland came in at number 9 on the list while Bellevue came in at number 12 based on the factors of salary & income, job market strength, quality of life & amenities, and industry presence.
As a real estate advisor working with buyers across Seattle and the Eastside (and as a Kirkland native myself), this ranking doesn’t surprise me at all. I regularly work with professionals relocating to the area because of the incredible career opportunities, strong tech ecosystem, and high quality of life these cities offer.
Below, I’ll break down why Kirkland and Bellevue ranked so highly, what it’s like to live in each city, and why so many professionals are choosing to call the Eastside home.
Why Kirkland and Bellevue Are Great for Growing Careers
Both Kirkland and Bellevue benefit from their proximity to Seattle’s world-class tech ecosystem, but they’ve also grown into major economic centers in their own right.
Some of the key reasons these cities rank so highly include:
A strong concentration of high-paying technology and professional jobs
Close proximity to major global employers
Excellent infrastructure and access to transportation
Highly rated schools and amenities
An exceptional quality of life with easy access to the outdoors
One of the things that makes the Eastside unique is that you can have access to top-tier career opportunities while still living in a smaller, community-oriented city with easy access to big city benefits being in close proximity to Seattle.
💡 Personal Insight from Veronica
People living or moving to the Eastside get to benefit from the various opportunities that lie here. Whether it’s one of the big tech companies or a startup, professionals can continuously grow in their careers and the connections they make here can be unmatched.
Bellevue, WA: A Global Tech Hub with an Urban Lifestyle
Bellevue has rapidly transformed over the past decade into one of the most important business and technology centers in the Pacific Northwest.
Major Employers in Bellevue
Bellevue is home to offices or headquarters for many major companies, including:
Microsoft (nearby in Redmond)
Amazon
T-Mobile
Salesforce
Meta
Expedia Group
Because of this concentration of companies, Bellevue consistently ranks among the top cities in the U.S. for tech job growth and salaries.
What It’s Like to Live in Bellevue
Despite its booming job market, Bellevue offers a lifestyle that balances work and leisure.
Some of the things people love about living here include:
Walkable neighborhoods in Downtown Bellevue
High-end shopping and dining at Bellevue Square and the Bravern
Waterfront parks along Lake Washington and Meydenbauer Bay
Easy access to hiking, skiing, and outdoor recreation in the Cascades
For many professionals, Bellevue offers the ideal combination of career opportunity and a polished urban lifestyle.
💡 Personal Insight from Veronica
Bellevue offers such a variety of lifestyle and I think that’s a huge attraction. If you want that bigger city feel to be near big shopping and great dining Bellevue has that. If you want to be near that but don’t want to live in the hustle and bustle of it, Bellevue has that as well. You could find a private home with acreage, all while being 5-10 minutes to downtown. It’s hard to find that anywhere else!
Kirkland, WA: A Waterfront City with a Creative Community Feel
Just north of Bellevue along Lake Washington, Kirkland offers a different kind of lifestyle — one that blends strong career access with a relaxed waterfront community feel.
Kirkland is one of the most popular cities I help buyers explore when they’re moving to the Eastside.
Why Professionals Love Living in Kirkland
Many professionals choose Kirkland because it allows them to stay close to major employers while enjoying a more relaxed and community-focused environment.
Some of the biggest draws include:
Close proximity to Microsoft’s campus in Redmond
A vibrant downtown waterfront with restaurants, cafes, and parks
Walkable neighborhoods with beautiful lake views
A strong arts, culture, and small business scene
Downtown Kirkland in particular has become one of the most desirable places to live on the Eastside, offering waterfront living with a charming, small-town feel.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the different areas of Kirkland, I put together a full neighborhood guide here: Living in Kirkland, WA: A Local Expert’s Guide to Every Neighborhood
Major Employers Near Kirkland
Many Kirkland residents work at nearby companies such as:
Google
Microsoft
Amazon
Meta
Nintendo of America
Tableau
The short commute to Redmond, Bellevue, and Seattle makes Kirkland an ideal location for professionals working across the Eastside tech corridor.
💡 Personal Insight from Veronica
Kirkland is so special to me. I have lived in almost every neighborhood of the city, and even moved away at one point, but I have found there is no better place. I love having the feel of a town more than a city - downtown Kirkland is quaint & charming, yet you have downtown Bellevue or Seattle just a short drive away if you’re wanting to venture out. There are great restaurants, the waterfront is beautiful, and there are just so many things to do here.
Kirkland vs Bellevue: Two Great Options for Living Near Seattle
Both cities ranked among the best small cities for growing careers, but they offer slightly different lifestyles.
Bellevue
More urban and business-centered
High-rise condos and luxury apartment living
Major corporate offices and headquarters
Dense, walkable downtown environment
Kirkland
Waterfront lifestyle
Charming downtown with local restaurants and shops
More neighborhood-oriented feel
Very popular with both professionals and families
When I work with buyers deciding between the two, the decision often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than job access, since both cities are centrally located near major employers.
💡 Personal Insight from Veronica
Sometimes it really just depends on the house! I find that if a client falls in love with a home, the city almost becomes secondary. But when they’re still deciding, it usually comes down to lifestyle. Kirkland tends to draw people in with its charm - more of a neighborhood feel, walkable waterfront areas, and a slightly more relaxed pace. On the other hand, Bellevue appeals to those looking for a more urban, polished environment with bigger city energy or if commute is important to them
Watch: Why Kirkland and Bellevue Rank Among the Best Cities for Careers
I recently shared a quick breakdown of this ranking and what it means for buyers considering the Eastside.
You can watch the short video here.
Thinking About Moving to Kirkland or Bellevue?
If you're considering a move to the Eastside — whether for career growth, lifestyle, or both — Kirkland and Bellevue are two of the most compelling places to live in the Pacific Northwest. With strong job markets, beautiful surroundings, and vibrant communities, it’s no surprise these cities continue to attract professionals from across the country.
If you're exploring neighborhoods or thinking about making a move, I’d be happy to help you navigate the local market and find the right fit.
MEET VERONICA
As a Washington native, Kirkland expert, and award-winning agent, Veronica Morss brings unmatched local insight and a client-first mindset to every real estate transaction. With a proven track record in multimillion-dollar negotiations, she blends deep neighborhood knowledge with the latest marketing strategies to help buyers, sellers, and investors succeed across the competitive Greater Seattle market. Supported by eXp Realty’s global reach, Veronica combines hyper-local expertise with world-class resources to deliver exceptional results, especially within the luxury segment. Her commitment to creative solutions, cutting edge strategy, and white glove service makes her a trusted advisor throughout every stage of the real estate journey.
Veronica Morss, Real Estate Broker
206-853-3491