Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s most vibrant and densely populated neighborhoods. Its central location has made it iconic, known for its rich history in art and music, cultural diversity, beautiful parks, and a thriving entertainment and nightlife scene. Capitol Hill is home to people from a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, contributing to its dynamic and inclusive atmosphere.
This guide will highlight some of the key aspects that inspire so many people to flock to Capitol Hill and proudly call it home.
Capitol Hill Micro-Neighborhoods
Capitol Hill is a densely populated neighborhood in central Seattle, located just east of downtown and I-5, extending to around 15th Avenue. It borders Portage Bay and Montlake to the north and First Hill and Cherry Hill to the south. Here is a simplified overview of the major micro-hoods of Capitol Hill.
Broadway is the main north-south thoroughfare through Capitol Hill. Along its core, you'll find a lively mix of restaurants, small businesses, local bars, and excellent public transit options. Housing here is a mix of mostly apartments, condos, and a sprinkling of single-family homes.
The Pike/Pine Corridor intersects Broadway and stretches east from downtown and west from Madrona. The segment between Bellevue Avenue and 15th Avenue is the heart of Capitol Hill’s nightlife, packed with bars, restaurants, and local shops. This area is predominantly made up of apartments and condos with convenient transit access. Beware, this is the party section of Capitol Hill if you want peace and quiet you may want to consider another micro-neighborhood.
The 15th Avenue neighborhood, on the eastern edge of Capitol Hill, features a solid retail core, that includes a variety of local restaurants, bars and small businesses. It's a short walk to the light rail and offers solid public transit options. This area is vibrant but still mostly peaceful and quiet. Housing here includes a mix of single-family homes, condos, and apartments.
North Capitol Hill is located just north of Broadway and 15th and borders Portage Bay to the north. It's known for its, tree lined streets, luxury estate homes, and is home to Volunteer Park. It’s generally quieter and less accessible by public transit compared to other parts of the neighborhood. The tradeoff is, it's overall the easiest place on Capitol Hill for street parking. Even though it is mostly luxury homes it has a beautiful apartment buildings and condos available if you are looking for a quieter place to live other than the core areas.
Types of Homes You'll Find in Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill offers a diverse array of home styles. While specific types may be more common in certain neighborhoods, you'll find nearly every kind of housing option throughout the area—from apartments, condos, and townhouses to luxury estates.
Apartments
Approximately 61% of households in Capitol Hill are renter-occupied, reflected in the abundance of apartment buildings throughout the neighborhood. If you're drawn to architecture with old-world charm, many historic buildings can be found across Capitol Hill. At the same time, modern apartment buildings have been steadily developed over the years. The tech boom, in particular, has accelerated new construction, especially outside North Capitol Hill, where development has been more limited.
No matter what you're looking for, you’ll find a wide range of apartment styles—from micro-apartments and studios to luxury condos and townhomes. Keep in mind that parking is at a premium. When available, it often costs over $200 per month.
Rental prices vary, but expect to pay a minimum of $1,200 for a studio, $1800 for a one bedroom, and $2200 for two bedrooms
Condos and Co-ops
Capitol Hill boasts over 100 condo and co-op buildings. In fact, it has the highest concentration of co-ops in the city, making it an ideal spot for those who prefer this type of ownership. Condos and co-ops vary significantly in age, size, and condition, and prices depend on factors like location, building amenities, and square footage.
You’ll find both condos and co-ops in nearly every Capitol Hill neighborhood. More modern buildings are typically located closer to the central core. Newer condo developments often include rooftop decks, in-unit washers and dryers, dishwashers, gyms, and other amenities.
If parking is a priority, co-ops may not be your best option, and for condos, you may want to filter your search to units that specifically include parking.
On capitol Hill the median price for a condo is approximately $445,000. Co-ops are around $344,000
Single Family and Townhomes
Single-family homes are scattered throughout the various neighborhoods. These properties are often nestled between newer apartment buildings or condominiums. When you do come across a single-family home on Capitol Hill, it’s usually a stunning, well-maintained residence owned by long-term homeowners who chose not to sell to developers.
If you're set on owning a single-family-style home in Capitol Hill, the best cost-conscious alternative might be a townhome. Townhomes provide a sense of individual ownership while allowing for increased neighborhood density. They are often attached to neighboring units or part of a larger townhome development.`
Townhomes typically feature vertical layouts, which means multiple flights of stairs—a consideration for some buyers. However, many come with rooftop decks that offer desirable outdoor space. Keep in mind that not all townhomes include dedicated parking, so it’s important to verify parking availability during your search.
Excluding homes over $2 million, the median price for a single-family home or townhome on Capitol Hill is $1,011,000.
Luxury Homes
If you're in the market for a luxury home or estate, North Capitol Hill is where you'll want to focus your search. This area is home to many of Capitol Hill’s most historic and architecturally significant residences—most of which are over 100 years old and have been beautifully preserved or restored.
Depending on the location, these homes can be found on both modest-sized lots and expansive estates. Many are situated near Volunteer Park or along the iconic and historic Millionaire’s Row on 14th Avenue East.
Excluding homes under $2 million, the median price for a luxury home on Capitol Hill is $2,450,000.
Getting Around Capitol Hill
One of the great joys of living on Capitol Hill is how easy it is to walk to nearly everything you need for daily life. For errands that are just a bit too far to travel on foot, there are plenty of transit options to meet your needs. Capitol Hill’s central location has naturally led the city to integrate a variety of transportation methods into the area.
The most significant and impactful addition has been the expansion of the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station. This development greatly improved access to the neighborhood, opening up convenient commute options across the region. The light rail provides fast, reliable service to destinations including the airport, Downtown, North and South Seattle, and beyond.
In addition to the light rail, multiple bus routes connect Capitol Hill’s micro-neighborhoods to the central core and surrounding areas. The Seattle Streetcar also runs along Broadway, linking Capitol Hill to the neighboring First Hill neighborhood.
Seattle has made a strong push to make the city more accessible for cyclists. Capitol Hill now features several dedicated bike lanes, allowing for efficient travel throughout the area. Broadway’s bike lanes offer north-south access, while the lanes on the Pike/Pine corridor support east-west travel. For better or worse, rideshare services and micromobility options like bikes and scooters are widely used in the neighborhood, so finding a rental is typically quick and easy.
If public transit isn’t your preference, Capitol Hill also offers several access points to major interstates, allowing for easy car travel across the city. However, owning a car here comes with challenges—namely, navigating busy pedestrian areas and dealing with limited parking. If you’re considering living in Capitol Hill with a car, having a home with dedicated parking is highly recommended, as many streets are restricted to zoned or paid parking and may have time limitations.
Notable Capitol Hill Parks
Seattle is known for its extensive use of public parks, and still I often find myself wishing we had even more shared green spaces. Capitol Hill, in particular, is home to several well-used parks that contribute to the neighborhood’s character and community life. The two largest parks in the area are Cal Anderson Park and Volunteer Park.
Cal Anderson Park is located just north of Pine Street, adjacent to the Capitol Hill light rail station. It’s a beloved gathering place for neighborhood residents. The northern half of the park sits above a covered reservoir and includes a playground, walking trails, and open lawns perfect for sunbathing or people-watching. The southern half features the Bobby Morris Playfield, where soccer, softball, and other field sports are regularly played. The park also includes tennis and basketball courts that are active year-round.
Volunteer Park, located in North Capitol Hill, is a designated landmark designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers, a prominent landscape architecture firm from the 19th century. This historic park features major cultural attractions such as the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Volunteer Park Conservatory. In addition to a playground, wading pool, and tennis courts, the park showcases beautiful landscaping that blends native and exotic plant species, including dahlias and rhododendrons. A standout feature of the park is its water tower and adjacent open-air reservoir, near a recently redesigned amphitheater. Throughout the year, residents enjoy walking the trails or relax in the open fields. One of the most iconic attractions is the Black Sun sculpture, which perfectly frames a view of the Space Needle.
Capitol Hill covers a fairly large area, and smaller parks are scattered throughout the neighborhood. These parks offer a variety of amenities, including off-leash dog areas, benches, community gardens (pea patches), scenic viewpoints, or simply quiet spots to unwind.
Here are some other parks and green spaces popular in Capitol Hill: Belmont Place, Broadway Hill Park, Seven Hills Park, Summit Slope Park, Tashkent Park, Thomas Street Park, and William Place Park.
Capitol Hill Lifestyle
We can't talk about Capitol Hill without talking about the business core and the nightlife scene. There are plenty of places to eat, shop, party and relax.
Local Businesses
Local businesses are the backbone of any neighborhood. Their owners are often the most dedicated advocates for positive change in the community—championing public safety, business development, zoning improvements, equity, and more.
Dining in Capitol Hill is an adventure. You can find nearly every type of cuisine imaginable. Whether you're looking for something quick, affordable, and convenient, or you're in the mood for high-end fine dining, Capitol Hill has it all. These are just a few of my favorite places to eat. Fogon, Carello, Harry's Fine Foods, Biang Biang, Osteria la Spiga, and Rom Mai Thai.
Prefer to cook at home? Stop by the Broadway Farmers Market or choose from a variety of big-box grocery stores to stock up on fresh ingredients. Trader Joe's, Safeway, and M2M Mart are some of my go to grocery stores.
Shopping options are abundant. The neighborhood features a wide array of specialty retail stores, including shops for home goods, men’s and women’s clothing, new and used books, plants, art, and furniture. Blue Dot, The Plant Store, Retail Therapy, and Pacific Supply to name a few.
You'll also find a diverse range of services. From tattoo parlors and yoga studios to hair salons and fitness gyms, Capitol Hill offers everything you need to live, look, and feel your best. Check out Capitol Hill Fitness, WWBA, Hot House, Industry, and Cascade Dental.
Nightlife
No matter what your vibe is, you’ll find a place to fit in on Capitol Hill. With a long-standing reputation as a hub for the LGBTQ+ community, the neighborhood exudes a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. There’s a wide variety of neighborhood bars, including The Lookout, Captain Black’s, and Hillside. Queer-oriented spots like Wildrose, Union, Madison Pub, Pony, and Diesel are popular hangouts. If you’re looking for more of a nightclub scene, check out Neighbours, Q Nightclub, Havana, Massive, or The Cuff. For live music, venues like Neumos and Chop Suey are local favorites. While bars and lounges are scattered throughout the area, the Pike/Pine corridor has the highest density and comes alive on weekend.
Now you are "In The Know" about Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is an truly one of Seattle's great neighborhoods. It has little or a lot of everything for everyone. Give me a shout out if you would like more information on the Capitol Hill Lifestyle.
- Capitol Hill Micro-Neighborhoods
- Types of Homes in Capitol Hill
- Getting Around Capitol Hill
- Notable Parks
- Capitol Hill Lifestyle
