Ellensburg 82 Exceptional
Ellensburg Livability #64 ranked city in Washington#1,157 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Ellensburg

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

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

  • Health & Safety 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
  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

What's it like Living in Ellensburg?

Ellensburg, Washington is a medium-sized city with a population of 21,153 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Ellensburg is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. The median age of all Ellensburg residents is 24, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Ellensburg is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 31% married, this city falls well below the national average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Ellensburg offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Ellensburg is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before moving to any new city in Washington, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, commute, health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Ellensburg and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Ellensburg to Washington and the national average.

Ellensburg, WA receives 83/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #53 in Washington and #875 in the USA. Compared to the national average, Ellensburg ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Ellensburg also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Ellensburg has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (B+) and housing (B-). The bad news for Ellensburg, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: employment (D-).

If you're living in Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Ellensburg market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

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 Ellensburg is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Ellensburg come in at $432,658, which is 12% lower than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Ellensburg, the home price to income ratio is 6.6, which is 22.2% higher than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ellensburg

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Compare Ellensburg, WA Livability

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      Ellensburg transportation information

      Statistic Ellensburg Washington National
      Average one way commute16min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work67.1%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.4%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.4%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.6%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk15.9%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Ellensburg, 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.