Living in Port Townsend, Washington

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Port Townsend · Census data 2020–2024

Port Townsend has 10,438 residents with a median age of 60.8. The median household income is $62,606 (36% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $543,400, the median rent is $1,578/month.

Port Townsend at a glance

Population
10,438
Median age
60.8State: 38.3
Median household income
$62,606State: $98,141
Median home value
$543,400State: $564,600
Median rent
$1,578/moState: $1,760
Homeowners
67.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
53.2%
Average commute
15 min

Is Port Townsend a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 4% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes.

Cons: Median household income 36% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 10.4%; a poverty rate of 13.5%.

The weather is best in June to September.

Cost of living in Port Townsend

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Port Townsend the median home value is $543,400, 63% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,578 per month, which is 33.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,061 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Port Townsend$543,400
Washington$564,600
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Port Townsend$1,578
Washington$1,760
United States$1,413

Port Townsend median household income

The median household income in Port Townsend is $62,606 and the income per person is $45,197. 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).

Median household income

Port Townsend$62,606
Washington$98,141
United States$80,734

Housing in Port Townsend: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
6,225
Owner-occupied
67.9%
Renter-occupied
32.1%
Vacant
8.7%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1981
Average household size
1.79

Port Townsend demographics

Population
10,438
Median age
60.8
Under 18
11.7%
65 and older
43.6%
Households
5,683
Foreign-born
4.2%
Veterans
10%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White89.9%
Hispanic or Latino3.1%
Black0.7%
Asian0.5%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Port Townsend ›

Education in Port Townsend

53.2% of adults 25 and older in Port Townsend have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 22.7% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Port Townsend53.2%
Washington39.6%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Port Townsend

Unemployment rate
10.4%State: 5.1%
Average commute
15 minState: 27 min
Work from home
26.3%
Drive alone
54.2%
Public transit
0%
Walk to work
11.6%
Homes with broadband
91.6%

Port Townsend vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Port Townsend10,438$62,606$543,400$1,578
Port Hadlock-Irondale3,884$83,548$351,600$1,361
Marrowstone1,164$110,368$756,000$1,458
Coupeville1,980$81,625$561,000$1,063
Blyn134$103,036——
Freeland1,548$83,241$522,000$1,237
Jamestown390$80,833$481,100—
Oak Harbor24,362$76,084$461,200$1,645
Sequim8,161$59,707$408,700$1,195

More for people moving to Port Townsend

Port Townsend ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Port Townsend: FAQ

What is the median household income in Port Townsend, WA?

The median household income in Port Townsend is $62,606, 36% 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 Port Townsend?

The median home value in Port Townsend is $543,400, compared with $564,600 in Washington.

How much is rent in Port Townsend?

The median gross rent in Port Townsend is $1,578 per month, about 33.8% of household income.

Is Port Townsend, WA a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 4% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 36% lower than the Washington median; unemployment of 10.4%; a poverty rate of 13.5%.

What is the median age in Port Townsend?

The median age in Port Townsend is 60.8 years (Washington: 38.3).

How long is the commute in Port Townsend?

The average commute to work in Port Townsend is 15 minutes; 26.3% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Port Townsend?

The unemployment rate in Port Townsend is 10.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Port Townsend?

53.2% of adults in Port Townsend 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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