Port Orchard 76 Excellent
Port Orchard Livability #138 ranked city in Washington#3,145 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Port Orchard

PROS
  • Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

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What's it like Living in Port Orchard?

Port Orchard, Washington is a mid-sized city with a population of 14,303 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (73% White). Given that fact, Port Orchard could be considered less diverse than other cities. An important consideration when living in Port Orchard is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 31 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Port Orchard could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Washington if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Port Orchard and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 76/100, Port Orchard is ranked #2,718 in the United States and #139 in Washington. Based on this score, Port Orchard would be considered a very livable city! Port Orchard is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we know that Port Orchard ranks very well for amenities (A+), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A). On a more negative note, Port Orchard does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

If you're considering living in Port Orchard, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Port Orchard provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area.

The unemployment rate in Port Orchard has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.57%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Port Orchard can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Port Orchard meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Port Orchard. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Port Orchard are simply unattainable. The median home price for Port Orchard homes is $357,500, which is 32.8% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Port Orchard, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5, which is 16.3% higher than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Port Orchard

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Compare Port Orchard, WA Livability

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      Port Orchard transportation information

      Statistic Port Orchard Washington National
      Average one way commute31min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work66.9%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.5%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.7%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home7.3%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Port Orchard, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).