Cottage Lake 73 Excellent
Cottage Lake Livability #189 ranked city in Washington#5,144 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Cottage Lake

PROS
  • 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.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • 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.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

What's it like Living in Cottage Lake?

Cottage Lake, Washington is a medium-sized city with a population of 23,962 residents. According to the most recent Census, 83% of Cottage Lake residents are White, 9% Asian and 0% Black. Cottage Lake has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. In total, more than 73% of the population is classified as married and 41% have kids. 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 Cottage Lake entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 31 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Cottage Lake, Washington could be a fulfilling 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. The best areas in Cottage Lake and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Washington and national averages.

Cottage Lake, WA receives 73 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #191 in Washington and #5,004 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Cottage Lake has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A-), education (B-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Cottage Lake. The following was graded with a disappointing score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

The unemployment rate in Cottage Lake has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.5%. 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 Cottage Lake 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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Cottage Lake is actually affordable. The median home price for Cottage Lake homes is $1,530,989, which is 211.3% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Cottage Lake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.3, which is 16.7% higher than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Cottage Lake

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      Cottage Lake transportation information

      Statistic Cottage Lake Washington National
      Average one way commute31min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work71.9%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.3%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.7%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home15.6%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Cottage Lake, 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.