McChord AFB 75 Excellent
McChord AFB Livability #166 ranked city in Washington#4,185 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in McChord AFB

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

What's it like Living in McChord AFB?

Located in the state of Washington, McChord AFB is a small-sized city with a population of 3,353 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (70% White). Given that fact, McChord AFB could be considered less diverse than other cities. McChord AFB tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 23 is far below the national average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? McChord AFB 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 figure out if living in McChord AFB is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling 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. Finding the best places to live in McChord AFB and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, employment, housing and other important metrics.

The livability score in McChord AFB is 74/100 and the city is ranked in the 86th percentile of all cities across America. Based on the rankings for each individual category, McChord AFB has received high marks for education (B-) and housing (B). On a less positive note, McChord AFB does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The McChord AFB unemployment rate of 1% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

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, McChord AFB 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 McChord AFB. 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 McChord AFB are affordable. Median real estate prices in McChord AFB come in at $0, which is 100% lower than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In McChord AFB, the home price to income ratio is 0, which is 100% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around McChord AFB

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How Do You Rate The Livability In McChord AFB?

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Compare McChord AFB, WA Livability

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      McChord AFB transportation information

      Statistic McChord AFB Washington National
      Average one way commute16min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work67.7%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool21.8%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle3.6%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.0%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home0.7%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The McChord AFB, 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.