Rainier 73 Excellent
Rainier Livability #206 ranked city in Washington#5,645 ranked city in the USARanks better than 80% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Rainier

PROS
  • Crime 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.

  • 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

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 Rainier?

Located in the state of Washington, Rainier is a smaller city with a population of 2,658 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Rainier is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and American Indian and Alaskan. Something to be aware of when living in Rainier are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 35 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Rainier, 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 Rainier 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, housing and other important metrics.

Rainier, WA receives 72 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #206 in Washington and #5,807 in the USA. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Rainier scores well for crime (B) and employment (A) There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Rainier. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Rainier can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

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 Rainier is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Rainier come in at $411,935, which is 16.2% lower than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Rainier, the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 33.3% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Rainier

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Compare Rainier, WA Livability

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      Rainier transportation information

      Statistic Rainier Washington National
      Average one way commute35min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.3%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.7%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.3%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home15.6%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Rainier, 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.