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Does Kirkland have light rail, or should I buy in Redmond for the 2 Line?

October 5, 2026•6 min read•By Peter Kim
Kirkland vs Redmond 2 Line light rail for Eastside tech home buyers

No — Kirkland does not have a Link light rail station, so if train-first commuting to Microsoft or Bellevue is a must-have, buy near a Redmond 2 Line station (Redmond Technology, Marymoor Village, or Downtown Redmond); if your badge is Google Kirkland or you mostly drive I-405, Kirkland still wins on proximity, and rail should not be the deciding factor.

Kirkland's transit future is the I-405 corridor (Sound Transit's Stride bus rapid transit and the NE 85th Street station area), not Link light rail. Redmond's Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village Link stations opened in May 2025, extending the 2 Line past Redmond Technology Station near Microsoft's main campus.

Peter Kim of Odigo Real Estate Club (WA License #112064) helps Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta employees who already work on the Eastside buy and sell across King and Snohomish counties. 593+ closed transactions, 122 five-star Zillow reviews, Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider. Office: 16108 Ash Way, Suite 201, Lynnwood, WA 98087. (425) 409-3823.

Related reading: Redmond vs Kirkland for Microsoft employees, Juanita vs Houghton vs Rose Hill for Google employees, and Kirkland vs Bellevue for Google + Microsoft households.

Kirkland vs Redmond for rail access at a glance

Factor Kirkland Redmond (2 Line)
Link light rail station in the city None Redmond Technology, Marymoor Village, Downtown Redmond
Rail to Microsoft main campus No direct rail; bus or drive Redmond Technology Station sits at the campus
Main transit plan I-405 Stride BRT, NE 85th St station area Existing 2 Line; future frequency set by Sound Transit
Google Kirkland (6th St / Kirkland Urban) Walk, bike, or short local drive from Houghton and central Kirkland Drive or bus
Typical product near transit Downtown / Totem Lake condos and townhomes; SFH in Houghton, Rose Hill, Juanita Condos and townhomes near stations; SFH on Education Hill, Grass Lawn
Who it usually fits Google Kirkland badges, I-405 drivers, lake/park lifestyle Microsoft train-first hybrid schedules, car-light households

Price context (Redfin city housing-market pages): Kirkland's three-month median sale ending August 2026 was $1,294,144; Redmond's three-month median ending July 2026 was $1,324,337. Those citywide medians mix condos and houses, so they say little about a station-area condo versus a Kirkland single-family home. Pull live NWMLS comps for the exact product you would buy.

1. Who should buy in Redmond for the 2 Line

Pick a Redmond 2 Line location when all three are true:

  • Most badge days are Microsoft Redmond or a Bellevue/Seattle stop on the 2 Line. Redmond Technology Station is the front door to Microsoft's main campus.
  • You'll actually ride. Test the walk or bike from the listing to the platform on a weekday morning, not a Saturday tour.
  • You accept the trade. Station-area homes are mostly condos and townhomes, so budget HOA dues, parking rules, and any special-assessment history, not just principal and interest.

Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village are the newest stations; Overlake is the area around Redmond Technology and Overlake Village stations. Education Hill and Grass Lawn give you more house, but most homes there are a drive or bus to a station, not a walk.

2. Who should stay in Kirkland anyway

Kirkland still wins when:

  • Your badge is Google Kirkland (6th Street campus and Kirkland Urban). Houghton and central Kirkland can be a walk, bike, or short drive, which beats any train ride.
  • You commute by I-405 or SR-520 by car, or your partner works north toward Bothell or Totem Lake.
  • You want lake parks and a yard more than a car-light routine.

If you live in Kirkland and work at Microsoft, plan on driving or taking the bus to Redmond Technology Station; don't buy expecting a Kirkland Link stop.

3. Dual-career households: Google Kirkland + Microsoft Redmond

Split the difference by badge-day count, not by headline. If the Microsoft partner commutes four days and the Google partner one, a Redmond station-area home or Overlake often wins. If it's the reverse, Rose Hill or Houghton in Kirkland usually wins, with the Microsoft partner driving 10 to 20 minutes depending on traffic. Test both commutes at real start times before writing an offer.

4. Schools: both cities are mostly Lake Washington School District

Kirkland and Redmond sit mostly in Lake Washington School District. Attendance areas move by address, so check LWSD's district map for the exact parcel before you rely on a school assignment.

5. Questions to ask before you choose rail over Kirkland

  1. How many days a week will I actually ride the 2 Line?
  2. What's the all-in monthly cost: principal and interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, and parking?
  3. Is the HOA reserve study healthy, and are any special assessments planned?
  4. How does my lender count RSU and bonus income for this payment?
  5. What does the commute look like at my real start time from each address?

FAQ

Does Kirkland have light rail in 2026?

No. Kirkland does not have a Link light rail station. Its transit plan centers on Sound Transit's I-405 Stride bus rapid transit and the NE 85th Street station area. Confirm current service with Sound Transit before you buy for transit.

Which Redmond light rail stations are on the 2 Line?

Redmond Technology Station (at Microsoft's main campus), Marymoor Village Station, and Downtown Redmond Station. Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village opened in May 2025.

Is Redmond more expensive than Kirkland?

Not in a way that should decide this by itself. Redfin's citywide three-month medians were $1,294,144 for Kirkland (ending August 2026) and $1,324,337 for Redmond (ending July 2026). Compare like-for-like product with live comps.

Should a Microsoft employee buy in Kirkland or Redmond?

If you'll ride the 2 Line most office days, Redmond near a station usually wins. If you drive anyway, want lake parks, or share a household with a Google Kirkland employee, Kirkland can be the better fit.

Who helps Eastside tech employees decide between Kirkland and Redmond?

Peter Kim of Odigo Real Estate Club, WA License #112064, helps King and Snohomish county buyers who already work at Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta. 593+ closed transactions and 122 five-star Zillow reviews. Call or text (425) 409-3823, or visit odigoclub.com.

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