Port Orchard 79 Exceptional
Port Orchard Livability #110 ranked city in Washington#2,167 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Port Orchard

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

What's it like Living in Port Orchard?

Port Orchard is a medium-sized city located in the state of Washington. The city has a population of 14,715 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (73% White). Given that fact, Port Orchard could be considered less diverse than other cities. 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 Port Orchard offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 31 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Port Orchard could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Washington if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Port Orchard and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, health & safety, employment and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 76/100, Port Orchard is ranked #3,145 in the United States and #138 in Washington. Based on this score, Port Orchard would be considered a very livable city! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Port Orchard has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A+), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). The bad news for Port Orchard, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F) and cost of living (F).

Port Orchard has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Port Orchard has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives.

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Port Orchard, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Port Orchard apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Assuming that Port Orchard meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Port Orchard. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Port Orchard are simply unattainable. The median home price for Port Orchard homes is $656,924, which is 33.6% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Port Orchard, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.1, which is 13% higher than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Port Orchard

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Compare Port Orchard, WA Livability

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      Port Orchard transportation information

      Statistic Port Orchard Washington National
      Average one way commute31min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work66.9%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.5%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.7%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home7.3%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Port Orchard, 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.