A top-schools commuter suburb in the Cedar River valley of southeast King County — built around the award-winning Tahoma School District, Lake Wilderness Park, and miles of trails, within reach of Renton, Bellevue, and Seattle jobs about 28 miles to the northwest.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,013 (~28,500 est.) | U.S. Census QuickFacts 2020 |
| Median Household Income | $152,885 | U.S. Census QuickFacts (2020–24) |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 50.2% | U.S. Census QuickFacts (2020–24) |
| Median Home Price | $799,975 | NWMLS InfoSparks, June 2026 |
| Median Days on Market | 11 days | NWMLS InfoSparks, June 2026 |
| Months of Supply | 3.5 (seller-leaning) | NWMLS InfoSparks, June 2026 |
| Graduation Rate | ~90% (Tahoma HS) | Tahoma SD / GreatSchools 2024–25 |
| Distance to Renton | 13 miles (20–35 min) | Google Maps 2026 |
| Distance to Seattle | 28 miles (35–60 min) | Google Maps 2026 |
| County | King County | Washington State |
| Incorporated | 1997 | City of Maple Valley |
| City Area | 6.19 sq miles (land) | U.S. Census |
Data compiled from NWMLS, U.S. Census Bureau, Tahoma School District, GreatSchools, City of Maple Valley, and National Weather Service (June–July 2026)
Maple Valley is a city of about 28,000 people in southeast King County, tucked into the Cedar River valley roughly 28 miles southeast of Seattle and about 13 miles from Renton. Though it wasn't incorporated until 1997, the community's roots run deep: settled in the 1870s and 1880s, it grew up around coal mining, lumber, and the railroad, with the Cedar Mountain coal mines operating into the mid-20th century. The historic crossroads known as Four Corners, where State Route 169 meets State Route 516, remains the community's commercial heart. Today Maple Valley is best known for something else entirely — the top-rated Tahoma School District, which draws families from across the region and is the single biggest reason many buyers choose to live here.
The setting is a big part of the appeal. Maple Valley sits between the Cedar River and the Cascade foothills, with Lake Wilderness and its park, historic lodge, and arboretum at the center of community life. Paved trails like the Cedar to Green River Trail and the nearby Cedar River Trail thread through town, and the annual Maple Valley Days festival each June is a beloved local tradition. The result is a family-oriented suburb that combines strong schools, newer neighborhoods, and abundant outdoor recreation with commuting access to the King County job market — at the cost of some very real traffic on SR-169 and home prices that reflect the area's desirability.
Maple Valley's magnet is its schools. The Tahoma School District's strong ratings pull in families willing to pay a premium and commute a bit farther for a safe, outdoorsy, family-first community. The trade-offs are honest ones — SR-169 traffic and higher prices — but for buyers whose priorities are schools, space, and recreation within reach of Renton, Bellevue, and Seattle jobs, Maple Valley is one of southeast King County's most sought-after choices. The key is matching the right neighborhood and commute direction to your family's needs.
Maple Valley is a seller-leaning market that's rebalancing — homes still sell fast at full list price, but a sharp rise in inventory is handing buyers more choice than they've had in years.
Median Sale Price: $799,975, up 2.6% year-over-year — continued but slowing appreciation
Months of Supply: 3.5 months, up about 40% year-over-year — still below the balanced 4–6 month range, but rising fast
Median Days on Market: 11 days — homes still sell very quickly, a strong seller signal
Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 100.0% — homes sell right at asking on average, flat versus last year
Active Listings: 129 homes for sale, up 35.8% year-over-year, against 52 closed sales — noticeably more choice for buyers
Source: NWMLS InfoSparks, Maple Valley city, all residential, June 2026. Prices vary by neighborhood and home age, so street-level analysis matters more than the citywide median.
Source: NWMLS InfoSparks, median sale price, residential, June 2026
June 2026 tells a two-sided story in Maple Valley. On one hand, homes are still selling in just 11 days at 100% of list price — classic seller's-market speed, driven by families competing for Tahoma schools. On the other, inventory has surged: active listings up nearly 36% and months of supply up about 40%, pushing the market from very tight toward balance. For buyers, that means real choice returning without prices falling; for sellers, it means accurate pricing and strong presentation now matter more than they did during the frenzy. Values differ meaningfully between newer subdivisions, Lake Wilderness, and acreage properties, so a neighborhood-level analysis is essential — and something we're glad to prepare.
These charts pull the latest Maple Valley data directly from NWMLS and refresh automatically each month, so they stay current between our quarterly page updates. Source: NWMLS InfoSparks.
The median price at which homes sold in Maple Valley in a given month.
A count of the properties newly listed on the market in a given month.
A count of the properties on which contracts were accepted in a given month.
The median number of days between when a property is listed and when an offer is accepted.
A listing's sale price divided by its original list price, averaged across all sold listings in a month.
Maple Valley is served by the highly regarded Tahoma School District — the community's single biggest draw — with a 9/10 high school and two 9/10 middle schools.
District: Tahoma School District | Serves: Maple Valley, Covington & surrounding areas | Graduation rate: ~90% (district)
Higher education: Green River College (Auburn/Kent) and Renton Technical College are within a reasonable drive, offering two- and four-year programs and workforce training.
Source: Tahoma School District and GreatSchools (2024–25).
| School | Rating | Enrollment | Graduation Rate | Notable Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tahoma High School | 9/10 | ~2,877 | ~90% | Comprehensive AP program; CTE pathways; large modern campus (opened 2017) |
Source: GreatSchools rating and Tahoma SD data, 2024–25. Tahoma High School serves the entire district on a campus that opened in 2017; the district also operates Tahoma Online and alternative learning options — confirm current programs with the district.
| School | Rating | Enrollment | Grades | Notable Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Trail Middle School | 9/10 | ~1,146 | 6–8 | STEM & CTE electives; strong core academics; ELL & special-education support |
| Maple View Middle School | 9/10 | ~1,054 | 6–8 | Music, arts & CTE electives; strong core academics; ELL & special-education support |
Source: GreatSchools ratings and enrollment, Tahoma School District (2024–25). The district also operates several elementary schools, most performing above state averages; assigned middle school depends on your address.
School quality and assigned schools vary by address within Maple Valley, and ratings and boundaries change over time. Some neighborhoods on the city's edges may fall within the Kent or Enumclaw school districts rather than Tahoma. Prospective buyers should independently verify the current rating, test scores, and the specific assigned schools for any home directly with the district before deciding.
Maple Valley is a car-dependent commuter suburb. SR-169 toward Renton and SR-18 toward I-90 and I-5 are the lifelines — and SR-169 congestion is the daily reality most residents cite.
| Destination | Distance | Non-Peak | Peak Hours | Primary Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covington | 5 miles | 10–12 min | 12–18 min | SR-516 |
| Renton | 13 miles | 20–25 min | 30–45 min | SR-169 (Maple Valley Hwy) |
| Bellevue | 20 miles | 30–35 min | 45–65 min | SR-169 → I-405 |
| Downtown Seattle | 28 miles | 35–45 min | 55–80 min | SR-169 → I-405 / I-90 |
| Sea-Tac Airport | 22 miles | 30–35 min | 40–60 min | SR-18 → I-5 |
Peak hours: 6–9am and 3–7pm weekdays. Distances and times from Google Maps and local commuter estimates, 2026
King County Metro — bus routes connect Maple Valley toward Renton, the I-405 corridor, and transit centers
Park-and-Ride — commuters use local and nearby park-and-rides to reach express bus service
Sounder / Link (nearby) — the nearest commuter-rail and light-rail connections are in Renton, Kent, and Tukwila, reached by car or bus
No rail in Maple Valley — there is no station in the city itself, so most residents drive
Maple Valley's biggest daily frustration is State Route 169, the Maple Valley Highway. It's largely a two-lane road carrying most of the city's Renton-bound traffic, and it backs up significantly at peak hours — an off-peak 20-minute drive to Renton can stretch well beyond 40. If your commute runs northwest toward Renton, Bellevue, or Seattle, drive SR-169 at rush hour before you buy, and weigh neighborhoods by how they position you against that bottleneck.
Maple Valley is an affluent suburb — higher home prices and incomes than areas to the south, but generally below Bellevue and the Eastside, with no state income tax.
Maple Valley's median household income is about $152,885 and roughly 50.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S. Census QuickFacts), reflecting a prosperous, family-heavy, professional population. The Census reports a median owner-occupied home value of about $724,700 for the 2020–2024 period, and NWMLS put the June 2026 median sale price near $800,000. Costs here run above Pierce and Thurston Counties to the south, in line with the area's desirability and schools, but generally below Bellevue, Seattle, and the close-in Eastside for comparable newer homes.
No state income tax: Washington has no personal income tax, a meaningful benefit for the area's higher earners.
Housing: Home prices are high and have risen quickly, driven by Tahoma schools and limited developable land.
Property & sales tax: King County property taxes on higher home values are substantial; a combined state/local sales tax also applies.
Commuting costs: As a car-dependent suburb, budget for vehicle and fuel costs — most households commute out for work.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Maple Valley city, WA); Washington State Department of Revenue. Figures are directional — verify current tax rates and any HOA costs for a specific property.
Maple Valley sits in a sweet spot for many King County families: top schools and newer homes at prices below Bellevue and the close-in Eastside, though well above the more affordable markets south in Pierce County. The comparison worth running is Maple Valley against neighboring Covington (more retail, often lower prices, mostly Kent schools), Black Diamond (newer Ten Trails growth, same Tahoma district), and Renton (bigger, closer to jobs). We build those side-by-sides so the trade-offs on price, schools, and commute are clear before you tour.
Maple Valley's culture is family-first and outdoors-oriented, centered on Lake Wilderness, its schools, and hometown traditions like Maple Valley Days.
Community life in Maple Valley revolves around the outdoors and its schools. Lake Wilderness Park is the heart of it — a swimming beach, the historic Lake Wilderness Lodge (a popular venue for weddings and events), and the Lake Wilderness Arboretum, all wrapped around the lake. Paved trails such as the Cedar to Green River Trail and the Cedar River Trail connect neighborhoods and draw walkers, runners, and cyclists, while the Cedar River itself offers fishing and quiet water. Each June, the Maple Valley Days festival and parade brings the whole community together — a small-town tradition that captures the city's family-oriented spirit.
History is woven through it all. Maple Valley grew from 1870s–1880s coal-mining, lumber, and railroad roots, with the historic Four Corners crossroads still anchoring the town's commercial core. Incorporated only in 1997, the city has grown quickly from a rural crossroads into a sought-after suburb, but it has worked to keep its parks, trails, and hometown feel intact. The result is a community where youth sports, school events, and outdoor recreation — not nightlife — define the social calendar.
The community's centerpiece — a lake, swimming beach, historic lodge, and event space at the center of Maple Valley life.
A volunteer-supported public garden and natural area beside the lake, with themed collections and walking paths.
Paved regional trails for walking, running, and cycling that link Maple Valley to the wider King County trail network.
What families love about Maple Valley is that daily life is built around kids, schools, and the outdoors. Between Tahoma sports, Lake Wilderness, the trails, and events like Maple Valley Days, there's a genuine hometown rhythm here. For nightlife, concerts, or big-box variety you'll drive to Renton, Covington, or Kent — but for a family looking to put down roots with strong schools and easy access to nature, Maple Valley's community feel is a major part of the draw.
Maple Valley has the classic Puget Sound marine climate — mild and green — with a slightly cooler, foothill edge and lovely, dry summers.
Summers in Maple Valley (roughly July through September) are the payoff: warm, dry, and green, typically in the 70s to low 80s, with long daylight and easy access to lakes, rivers, and trails. The trade-off is the long wet season. Sitting a bit inland toward the Cascade foothills, Maple Valley sees the region's familiar pattern of frequent gray skies and steady light rain from October through May, with annual precipitation generally in the low-to-mid 40-inch range — a touch more than areas right on the Sound. Winters are cool and damp rather than harsh, with highs in the 40s, and while snow is usually light, the slightly higher elevation means Maple Valley can pick up a bit more than lowland cities during cold snaps.
Summer (Jul–Sep): Warm and dry, 70s–low 80s; Maple Valley at its green, outdoor best.
Fall/Winter (Oct–Feb): Cool, gray, and wet; highs in the 40s, frequent light rain and fog, occasional light snow (a bit more in the foothills).
Spring (Mar–May): Gradual warming and drying — lush and increasingly bright, a good time to tour.
Source: National Weather Service climate normals for the central Puget Sound / Cascade foothill region. Because Maple Valley is toward the foothills, visit in both summer and the gray season before committing.
Maple Valley is largely a bedroom community — local jobs center on schools, healthcare, and retail, while most residents commute to Renton, Kent, Bellevue, and Seattle.
Within the city, the largest employer is the Tahoma School District, followed by healthcare and dental practices and the retail, restaurant, and service businesses clustered around Four Corners and the SR-169 corridor. But Maple Valley's economy is fundamentally that of a residential suburb: most working residents commute out to the region's major employment centers. Renton, about 13 miles northwest, is home to Boeing's 737 plant and a growing office and retail base; the Kent industrial valley to the west is one of the largest warehousing and manufacturing hubs on the West Coast; and the Bellevue and Seattle office markets are reachable via I-405 and I-90.
This commuter profile is central to understanding Maple Valley: people choose it less for local jobs and more for schools, space, and quality of life within reach of King County's employment core. Remote and hybrid work has made that trade-off easier for many households, but buyers who will commute daily should weigh the SR-169 bottleneck carefully.
The largest employer within Maple Valley, staffing the high school, middle schools, and elementary schools that anchor the community.
Clinics, dental offices, and senior-care providers serving Maple Valley and the surrounding southeast King County communities.
Grocery, retail, restaurants, and local services concentrated at the SR-169 / SR-516 crossroads.
Boeing's Renton 737 plant and Renton's broader job base sit about 13 miles northwest via SR-169.
One of the West Coast's largest warehousing and manufacturing corridors, a short drive west via SR-516/SR-18.
The region's major office markets, reachable via I-405 and I-90 for commuting and hybrid work.
Source: City of Maple Valley / King County economic data and employer reports (2023–2026). Employment conditions change — verify current openings and employers directly.
Maple Valley pairs lakes, rivers, trails, and golf with hometown events, plus quick access to bigger-city shopping and dining nearby.
Lake Wilderness Park and beach, the Lake Wilderness and Elk Run golf courses, and neighborhood parks give the city a strong outdoor-recreation base.
The Cedar River and the paved Cedar to Green River and Cedar River trails offer fishing, paddling, walking, and cycling right in town.
The Cascade foothills, Mount Rainier, and regional trails and campgrounds are all within easy weekend reach to the southeast.
Grocery stores, restaurants, coffee, and everyday services cluster around Four Corners and along SR-169, covering daily needs close to home.
Bigger shopping, dining, and entertainment are a short drive away in Covington (Covington Marketplace), Renton (The Landing), and Kent.
The honest picture: Maple Valley covers everyday needs well and shines for outdoor recreation, but for big-box shopping, a wide restaurant scene, concerts, or nightlife you'll head 10–30 minutes to Covington, Renton, Kent, or Bellevue.
Maple Valley is a car-oriented suburb — comfortable to drive, with SR-169 and SR-516 as the main spines, but limited transit and no rail station in the city. Everyday errands are quick and local; longer trips and commutes mean driving, with King County Metro buses and nearby park-and-rides for those connecting to the I-405 corridor. See the commute section above for routes and times.
Honest answers to what people ask most — including the downsides.
We'll walk you through current conditions in your target Maple Valley neighborhoods, the homes that match your priorities and commute, and an honest picture of Tahoma schools and value — before you commit to anything.
This comprehensive community guide to Maple Valley, Washington was created by HeartLink Homes at Keller Williams Puyallup to provide prospective residents with detailed, accurate information about living in this southeast King County community. Information has been compiled from:
Important: While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, all information is subject to change. Statistics, school ratings, market conditions, and development plans evolve over time. Prospective residents should independently verify information critical to their decision — including school boundaries, current pricing, and specific property details. Contact HeartLink Homes for current NWMLS data.