by Tricia Jacobs, REALTOR® & Managing Broker, RE/MAX Gateway
Burlington sits right in the heart of the Skagit Valley. It's the kind of town where you can grab coffee on Fairhaven Avenue and be hiking in the North Cascades foothills within the half hour. It's grown into the retail and service hub of Skagit County, but it's kept the small-town, hardworking feel that a lot of buyers are actively looking for right now.
As a REALTOR® and Managing Broker at RE/MAX Gateway who works this market every day, I help buyers understand what makes Burlington worth a serious look, and what to know before you make an offer here.
Own a Home in Burlington?
One of the things that makes Burlington real estate interesting is how much the market can vary from one part of town to another.
An established single-family neighborhood, newer construction on the east or south sides, a townhome or condo, and a rural-adjacent property with acreage just outside city limits can each attract very different buyers.
Those differences matter when determining value and deciding how a home should be prepared, positioned and marketed.
If you're thinking about selling—even if you're still a year or two away—I'm happy to talk through your property and what the current market looks like.
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Where Is Burlington, Exactly?
Burlington is located in Skagit County, in northwestern Washington, roughly halfway between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Interstate 5 runs directly through town, and Highway 20 gives quick access east toward the North Cascades or west toward Anacortes and the San Juan Islands ferry.
That location is one of Burlington's biggest draws for buyers:
Seattle: approximately 65 to 75 minutes south via I-5
Bellingham: approximately 25 to 30 minutes north via I-5
Mount Vernon: approximately 5 to 10 minutes
Anacortes and the San Juan Islands ferry: approximately 25 to 30 minutes west
Airports, Costco & the Canadian Border
One thing that consistently surprises buyers moving to Skagit County is how central Burlington actually is. A few key distances worth knowing:
Bellingham International Airport (BLI): about 25 miles, 30 minutes north — flybellingham.com
Paine Field / Snohomish County Airport (PAE), Everett: about 50 miles, 55 to 60 minutes south — painefield.com
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac/SEA): about 79 miles, 1 hour 25 to 30 minutes south — portseattle.org/sea-tac
Costco Wholesale: right in Burlington itself, at 1725 S Burlington Blvd — store page
Canadian border (Peace Arch/Blaine crossing): about 50 miles, roughly 55 minutes north — WSDOT border info
That combination of a home-market Costco, three airport options within roughly an hour, and a same-day trip to Canada is a genuine lifestyle perk that's easy to overlook until you're the one living it.
Hospitals Near Burlington
Access to quality healthcare is a common question from relocating buyers. Burlington sits within easy reach of several hospitals:
Skagit Valley Hospital, Mount Vernon: approximately 5 to 10 minutes
PeaceHealth United General Medical Center, Sedro-Woolley: approximately 10 to 15 minutes
Island Hospital (Island Health), Anacortes: approximately 25 to 30 minutes
Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle: approximately 75 miles, about 1 hour 20 minutes
Seattle Children's is worth noting on its own. It's a nationally recognized pediatric hospital, and it's the local member hospital for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals here in Washington. As a RE/MAX Miracle Agent, I donate to Seattle Children's on behalf of my clients with every closed transaction, so families I work with are helping support that hospital just by working with me.
The Neighborhood Vibe
Burlington was founded as a logging and railroad town, and that grounded, hardworking identity still shows up in how the community operates. People know their neighbors, and local events like Berry Dairy Days and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival draw the whole town out. Small, family-owned businesses along Fairhaven Avenue and Burlington Boulevard have stuck around for generations. RE/MAX is proud to be a sponsor of the Tulip Festival each year, a small reflection of how connected this brokerage is to the communities it serves.
It's a walkable, practical town surrounded by farmland, river, and forest. You're never far from open space, but you're also never far from a grocery store, a good school, or the freeway on-ramp.
Homes and Real Estate in Burlington
Burlington offers a genuinely broad mix of housing, which is part of why it appeals to such a wide range of buyers: first-time buyers, growing families, downsizers, and investors alike.
Established single-family neighborhoods with 1960s to 1990s ranch and split-level homes
Newer construction developments on the city's east and south sides
Townhomes and condos for buyers wanting lower-maintenance living
Rural-adjacent properties with acreage just outside city limits
Market snapshot (as of August 2026):
Figures sourced from Zillow, Redfin, and Movoto market data; update quarterly and cite the source and date directly on the page.
Compared to Bellingham or the Seattle metro, Burlington still offers relative value for buyers who want single-family homes with yard space and a manageable commute to bigger job centers.
Schools and Education
Burlington is served by the Burlington-Edison School District. Highly regarded options in and around the district include Burlington-Edison High School and Bay View Elementary School, along with Skagit Adventist Academy as a private option.
Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Living
Burlington has 7 parks within city limits and 5 walking trails, plus quick access to more within a short drive:
Skagit River Park: soccer fields, picnic shelters, walking paths, and river access
Burlington Dike Trail and the Highway 20 Trail/Lions Park Trailhead
Cascade Trail, about 10 minutes away
Pomona Grange Park, about 10 minutes away
Little Mountain Park and Oyster Dome Trailhead, about 20 minutes away
Residents also take advantage of nearby golf courses (Avalon Golf Links, Overlook Golf Course), whale watching out of Anacortes, and the Skagit Valley's famous Tulip Festival every spring.
Shopping, Dining, and Local Favorites
Burlington functions as the retail anchor for Skagit County. Cascade Mall and a Target off I-5 cover the big-box side of things, while Fairhaven Avenue and Burlington Boulevard keep the local character alive with family-owned bakeries, fish markets, and diners. The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is a good resource for what's new around town.
Two of my personal go-to spots: Train Wreck Bar & Grill on East Fairhaven Avenue for a great local pub feel with scratch-made food, and The Fairhaven on North Burlington Boulevard for excellent sandwiches and salads (not to be confused with Bellingham's Fairhaven neighborhood; this one's named after the street it sits on).
What Draws People to This Corner of Washington
Part of what makes Skagit County special, and worth highlighting for anyone relocating from out of state, is everything within easy reach of Burlington:
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival every April, drawing visitors from around the world to the fields just outside town
The San Juan Islands, reachable via the Anacortes ferry in about 30 minutes
North Cascades National Park and Mount Baker recreation area, roughly an hour east
Whale watching and boating out of Anacortes and Bellingham
Chuckanut Drive, one of the most scenic coastal drives in the state, just north toward Bellingham. Larrabee State Park, Washington's very first state park, sits right along it, and the Fragrance Lake trail across the road is a favorite moderate day hike
Easy day trips to Vancouver, B.C., one of North America's most visited international cities
For buyers coming from out of state, this is often the detail that seals the deal. Burlington puts you within an hour of mountains, islands, a major international city, and the Puget Sound, all at once.
What Buyers Should Know Before Purchasing
Burlington's market is very competitive. Well-priced, move-in-ready homes can see multiple offers.
Homes closer to I-5 may carry more highway noise; it's worth touring at different times of day.
Older homes in established neighborhoods may need updates to plumbing, electrical, or roofing.
New construction on the city's edges is worth comparing against resale value in established areas.
Working with an experienced local advisor like Tricia Jacobs of RE/MAX Gateway helps you understand which streets and sections best fit your goals, budget, and timeline, especially in a market that moves this fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What draws people to live in Burlington, WA?
Burlington's biggest draws are a walkable, community-oriented small-town feel, easy I-5 access to Seattle, Bellingham, and the San Juan Islands, and relative affordability compared to nearby Bellingham or the Seattle metro.
What is the median home price in Burlington, WA?
As of August 2026, the median home value in Burlington is approximately $490,000, with median list prices closer to $580,000.
What school district serves Burlington, WA?
Burlington is served by the Burlington-Edison School District.
How far is Burlington from Seattle?
Burlington is approximately 65 to 75 minutes south of Seattle via Interstate 5.
Explore More
For more about me and the North Puget Sound communities I serve, visit my About page.
About Tricia Jacobs
I'm Tricia Jacobs, a Managing Broker and REALTOR® with RE/MAX Gateway, serving buyers and sellers throughout Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island Counties.
I've been working in real estate since 1992 and have lived and worked in the Stanwood community since 2001.
My experience includes traditional residential homes, acreage and country properties, equestrian properties, waterfront homes and investment properties.
Burlington is a particularly interesting market because of how central it sits within Skagit County, and how much that location and lifestyle can matter to buyers relocating here.
Whether you've owned property in Burlington for years and are starting to wonder what it's worth, you're considering selling, or you're thinking about making Burlington your next home, I'd be happy to talk.
Is Burlington Right for You?
Burlington is a strong fit for buyers who want small-town character, a genuinely central Skagit Valley location, and relative affordability compared to Bellingham or the Seattle metro, without giving up quick access to either.
If you're considering buying in Burlington, I'd be honored to help you navigate it. With deep local knowledge of Skagit County and a client-first approach, I help buyers make confident, informed decisions in this market.
Contact Tricia Jacobs, REALTOR® & Managing Broker, RE/MAX Gateway, today to start your Burlington journey.
(360) 223-1100 | triciajacobs@remax.net | 914 S. 15th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221