Port Townsend 58 Below average
Port Townsend Livability #506 ranked city in Washington#20,880 ranked city in the USARanks better than 28% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Port Townsend

PROS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    This area does not have any pros, as none of the categories attained the requirement.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 Commute

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

What's it like Living in Port Townsend?

Port Townsend, Washington is a small-sized city with a population of 9,950 people. The majority of Port Townsend residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Port Townsend is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 56, which is well beyond the United States median age average. 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.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Port Townsend, 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. Finding the best places to live in Port Townsend and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, health & safety, education and other important metrics.

Port Townsend, WA receives 60/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #435 in Washington and #18,385 in the USA. This score ranks well below the US average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Port Townsend has received high marks for crime (A-). There are some categories that Port Townsend ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

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. Median real estate prices in Port Townsend come in at $625,599, which is 27.2% higher than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Port Townsend, the home price to income ratio is 7.9, which is 46.3% 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) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.