Federal Way 73 Excellent
Federal Way Livability #186 ranked city in Washington#4,789 ranked city in the USARanks better than 83% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Federal Way

PROS
  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Ratings

    Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.

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What's it like Living in Federal Way?

Federal Way, Washington is a mid-sized city with a population of 96,812 residents. In Federal Way, there are 4,342 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Federal Way entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 36 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Federal Way, Washington. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, crime, commute, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Federal Way and in the areas around Federal Way is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 71 out of 100, Federal Way is ranked #5,372 in the United States and #208 in Washington. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Federal Way has been rewarded with high marks for employment (A-) and housing (A-). Regrettably for Federal Way, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F) and cost of living (F).

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Federal Way apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Federal Way. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Federal Way are affordable. Median real estate prices in Federal Way come in at $359,000, which is 33.3% higher than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Federal Way, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 20.9% higher than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Federal Way

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Federal Way?

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Compare Federal Way, WA Livability

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      Federal Way transportation information

      Statistic Federal Way Washington National
      Average one way commute36min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work70.5%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.4%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit7.5%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home6.7%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Federal Way, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).