Port Townsend 60 Below average
Port Townsend Livability #435 ranked city in Washington#18,385 ranked city in the USARanks better than 37% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Port Townsend

PROS
  • Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • 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

    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.

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What's it like Living in Port Townsend?

Port Townsend, Washington is a smaller city with a population of 9,710 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Port Townsend is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. The Port Townsend population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 56, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Port Townsend is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Port Townsend could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Washington if you know where to search. 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Port Townsend, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, commute, education, housing and more.

The livability score in Port Townsend is 60 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 39th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the US average, this area has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Port Townsend ranks very well for crime (A) and education (B-). There are some categories that Port Townsend ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and housing (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 182 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Port Townsend boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Port Townsend is real estate affordability. The median home price for Port Townsend homes is $352,400, which is 30.9% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Port Townsend, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.6, which is 53.5% higher than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Port Townsend

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Compare Port Townsend, WA Livability

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      Port Townsend transportation information

      Statistic Port Townsend Washington National
      Average one way commute15min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.4%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.6%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.7%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.2%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk6.6%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home10.7%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Port Townsend, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).