Living in Federal Way, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Federal Way · Census data 2020–2024
Federal Way has 99,493 residents with a median age of 37.4. The median household income is $86,909 (11% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $552,800, the median rent is $1,797/month.
Federal Way at a glance
- Population
- 99,493
- Median age
- 37.4State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $86,909State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $552,800State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,797/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 55.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30.8%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Federal Way a good place to live?
Pros: Home values about the same as the state median.
Cons: Median household income 11% lower than the Washington median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 5.4%; a poverty rate of 13%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Federal Way
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Federal Way the median home value is $552,800, 66% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,797 per month, which is 34.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,351 a month in housing costs.
Federal Way median household income
The median household income in Federal Way is $86,909 and the income per person is $40,975. 13% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Federal Way: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 37,479
- Owner-occupied
- 55.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.7%
- Vacant
- 4.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1984
- Average household size
- 2.76
Federal Way demographics
- Population
- 99,493
- Median age
- 37.4
- Under 18
- 22.8%
- 65 and older
- 15%
- Households
- 35,717
- Foreign-born
- 31.9%
- Veterans
- 6.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Federal Way ›
Education in Federal Way
30.8% of adults 25 and older in Federal Way have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 9.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Federal Way
- Unemployment rate
- 5.4%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 13.7%
- Drive alone
- 66.5%
- Public transit
- 4.5%
- Walk to work
- 2.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 94%
Federal Way vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Way | 99,493 | $86,909 | $552,800 | $1,797 |
| Lakeland North | 15,950 | $105,216 | $557,000 | $2,340 |
| Lakeland South | 13,100 | $110,735 | $589,300 | $1,899 |
| Fife Heights | 1,446 | $157,292 | $712,400 | $2,542 |
| Dash Point | 889 | $130,234 | $890,500 | — |
| Milton | 8,894 | $96,540 | $539,700 | $2,199 |
| Algona | 3,247 | $85,332 | $441,500 | $1,838 |
| Browns Point | 979 | $96,875 | $795,500 | $2,025 |
| Pacific | 7,066 | $115,625 | $489,100 | $1,692 |
More for people moving to Federal Way
Federal Way ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Federal Way: FAQ
What is the median household income in Federal Way, WA?
The median household income in Federal Way is $86,909, 11% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Federal Way?
The median home value in Federal Way is $552,800, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Federal Way?
The median gross rent in Federal Way is $1,797 per month, about 34.2% of household income.
Is Federal Way, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values about the same as the state median. Minuses: median household income 11% lower than the Washington median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 5.4%; a poverty rate of 13%.
What is the median age in Federal Way?
The median age in Federal Way is 37.4 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Federal Way?
The average commute to work in Federal Way is 32 minutes; 13.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Federal Way?
The unemployment rate in Federal Way is 5.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Federal Way?
30.8% of adults in Federal Way have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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