Centralia 81 Exceptional
Centralia Livability #81 ranked city in Washington#1,497 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Centralia

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Commute Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

What's it like Living in Centralia?

Centralia, Washington is a moderately-sized city with a population of 18,008 people. At 89%, the majority of the Centralia population is White; this is followed by 1% Black and 1% Asian. Centralia is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 47% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Centralia your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Centralia, Washington could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Centralia and in the areas around Centralia is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 78 out of 100, Centralia is ranked #2,083 in the United States and #106 in Washington. Compared to the US average, Centralia ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Centralia also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Centralia has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (B+), cost of living (B) and housing (A-). There are some categories that Centralia does not rank well for, including: crime (F) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

If you're living in Centralia, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Centralia an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Centralia has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Centralia. 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 Centralia are affordable. Median real estate prices in Centralia come in at $297,414, which is 39.5% lower than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Centralia, the home price to income ratio is 5, which is 7.4% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Centralia

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Compare Centralia, WA Livability

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      Centralia transportation information

      Statistic Centralia Washington National
      Average one way commute23min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.5%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool14.4%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.2%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.2%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home2.2%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Centralia, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.