Elk Plain 63 Average
Elk Plain Livability #379 ranked city in Washington#14,927 ranked city in the USARanks better than 49% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Elk Plain

PROS
  • Employment 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 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Elk Plain?

Located in the state of Washington, Elk Plain is a moderately-sized city with a population of 15,587 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 76% of Elk Plain residents are White, 5% Black and 5% Asian. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Elk Plain offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 40 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Elk Plain, 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, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Elk Plain and in the areas around Elk Plain is a much easier task.

Elk Plain has a livability score of 61/100 and is ranked #403 in Washington and #16,436 in the USA. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Elk Plain ranks well for employment (A-). On a more negative note, Elk Plain does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), cost of living (D) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Elk Plain excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Elk Plain real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Elk Plain. Median real estate prices in Elk Plain come in at $497,771, which is 1.2% higher than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Elk Plain, the home price to income ratio is 4.4, which is 18.5% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Elk Plain

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Compare Elk Plain, WA Livability

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      Elk Plain transportation information

      Statistic Elk Plain Washington National
      Average one way commute40min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.2%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool17.1%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home5.3%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Elk Plain, 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.