Livability Score

60
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities F

There are not many amenities close to this location.
Coffee (17) F
Reveille At The Commons
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Sunrise Coffee
Coffee Shop
Metro Bagels
Coffee Shop
Marina Cafe
Coffee Shop
Mean Bean Coffee
Coffee Shop
Sea J's Cafe
Coffee Shop
Fountain Cafe
Coffee Shop
Owl Sprit Cafe
Coffee Shop
Ground to Perfection Espresso
Coffee Shop
Lehani's Deli & Coffeehouse
Coffee Shop
The Abbey Tea Room
Coffee Shop
Better Living Through Coffee
Coffee Shop
Courtyard Cafe
Coffee Shop
Elevated Ice Cream
Coffee Shop
Velocity Coffee House
Coffee Shop
Hudson Point Cafe
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (12) F
Coast Artillery Museum
Museum
Memory's Vault
Attraction
Port Townsend Marine Science Center
Aquarium
Uptown Theater
Cinema
Bell Tower
Museum
Gallery 9
Art Gallery
Starlight Room
Cinema
Cellar Door
Nightclub
Rose Theatre
Cinema
Port Townsend Creative
Theatre Arts
Port Townsend Gallery
Art Gallery
Jefferson County Museum
Museum
Food and Drink (11) F
Taps at the Guardhouse
Bar
Discovery Bay Brewing
Bar
McDonald's
Fast Food
Papa Murphy's
Fast Food
The Pourhouse
Bar
Hilltop Tavern
Bar
Uptown Pub
Bar
Subway
Fast Food
Port Townsend Fudge
Sweets
Mezzaluna Lounge
Bar
Sirens
Bar
Eaglemount
Alcohol
Fitness (1) F
Mystic Monkey Yoga
Gym
Groceries (6) F
Safeway
Grocery Store
QFC
Grocery Store
The Food Co-op
Grocery Store
Penny Saver
Grocery Store
Aldrich's Market
Grocery Store
Pane d'Amore
Bakery
Parks (30) F
35th Street Park
Park
Baker View Park
Park
North Beach County Park
Park
Bobby McGarraugh Park
Park
Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park
Park
Sather Park
Park
Bishop Park
Park
Gateway Park
Park
Courthouse Park
Park
Chetzemoka Park
Park
Rothschild House State Park
Park
Rotary Park
Park
Memorial Field
Park
Adams Street Park
Park
John Pope Marine Park
Park
Shops (49) F
The Recyclery
Bicycle
Gift Shop & Visitor Center
Gift Shop
Henery's Hardware
Home Improvement
Safeway Convenience Store
Convenience Store
Vintage Hardware
Home Improvement
Sea Breeze
Convenience Store
Holly's Fine Flowers
Florist
P.T. Laundromat & Car Wash
Mall
Gateway Plaza
Mall
Pet Town
Pets
Peninsula Floors & Furnishings
Interior Decoration
The Wandering Wardrobe
Clothing
Deanna's Hair Design
Hairdresser
Jim's Barber Shop
Hairdresser
Wash House Salon
Hairdresser
PT Plaza
Mall
PT Cyclery
Bicycle
Quimper Mercantile
Discount Store
Port Townsend Antique Mall
Furniture
PT Shirt Company
Clothing
Whistle Stop Toys
Toys
Abracadabra
Gift Shop
Insatiable Books
Books
The Bag Store
Fashion
Bergstrom's Antique & Classic Autos
Furniture
See more Port Townsend amenity data

commute F

Of all people who commute, 1.7% take public transportation in Port Townsend.
Public Transit Stops (5)
Stops & Stations
F
Workers Taking Public Transit
1.7%
F
See more Port Townsend commute data

cost of living F

The cost of living in Port Townsend is 127/100 - which is 7% higher than Washington.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
A+
See more Port Townsend cost of living data

crime A-

Port Townsend crime rates are 1,569 per 100k, which is 58% lower than Washington
Property Crime
1,387 crimes per 100k
B
Violent Crime
182 crimes per 100k
A
See more Port Townsend crime data

employment D+

The median income in Port Townsend is $53,690 - which is 15% lower than Washington.
Med. Household Income
$53,690
D-
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
F
See more Port Townsend employment data

health C-

There are not many hospitals, police and fire stations,
Health & Safety (7)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
F
Port Townsend Police
Police
Jefferson Healthcare Hospital
Hospital
Urgent Care
Doctor
Cunnington Dental
Dentist
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
A+
See more Port Townsend health & safety data

housing C

Port Townsend home prices are $352,400 - which is 31% higher than Washington
Home Price
$352,400
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
14%
A
Home Affordability
6.6x (home price to income ratio)
F
See more Port Townsend housing data

schools C+

The Port Townsend graduation rate is 93% - which is 7% higher than Washington
School Test Scores
52%
D-
High School Grad. Rates
93%
A
Elementary Schools (4) F
Blue Heron Middle School
Swan School
Grant Street Elementary
Ocean
High Schools (3) F
Ocean
Port Townsend High School
Jefferson Community School
See more Port Townsend education data

ratings D

Port Townsend has an overall rating of 54% from 27 reviews.
User Reviews (3)
From AreaVibes
D-
User Surveys (24)
From AreaVibes
C
See more Port Townsend user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Port Townsend, WA
( 27 Ratings )

Living in Port Townsend, WA

Port Townsend Area Facts

  • Port Townsend has a Livability Score of 60/100, which is considered below average
  • Port Townsend crime rates are 58% lower than the Washington average
  • Cost of living in Port Townsend is 7% higher than the Washington average
New Real Estate Listings in Port Townsend Area
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Port Townsend Reviews

Write a review about Port Townsend Tell people what you like or don't like about Port Townsend…
A quiet small town with some quirks that is not for everyone 3 rating By Anonymous ( Dec 28, 2020) Port Townsend is a beautiful place that is the gateway to some glorious camping and hiking areas within a 100 mile area. That was the major draw for me besides a family member that lived here. Unfortunately after being here 7 years some of the con's of the area mar the great ...Read More beauty of it.

It is a small and quirky town that is a good fit for a small percentage of people with a good retirement income and assets that allow them good housing in a very expensive housing market. This is a major issue for many that try to move here. There is a housing shortage of affordable housing and an underbelly of real poverty that is hidden in the resort type qualities on a surface view of this place.

Work is hard to find, housing even harder and my experience has not been a warm friendly welcoming place but the typical aloofness of the PNW. I'm from the PNW but after a few years living around the country I've observed some places are definately easier to make friends than others. In time I've learned that the beauty of a place can't make up for basic lack of hospitality. Its not a cultural value that is held in high esteem here at least not in the 7 years I tried to find community connection something I found easy to do in other places.

It can also feel very isolated in the winter when it is dark and cold with few street lights in the rural areas. I've ventured out after 7:30 pm for a grocery store run in the winter before Covid19 and been shocked at how lifeless, dark, and shut down the place is. This might be hard for some people from a more vibrant and larger community. I thought I was a small town person to the core and would always love the PNW. But then I moved to the Olympic Peninsula and found out I did not know myself well.

7 years here made me seriously question my values and reconsider why I'm staying. In fact, I made a decision this week to leave in the spring aware that the landscape cannot make up for a community that has very little true diversity while priding itself on its diversity. As one young adult relative commented after visiting "Port Townsend is where you go to die" and I realize I have in my career, my social life, my enjoyment of community, my hope about what life is meant to be. I found beautiful scenery here but that alone won't sustain a life.
If you are done with your career, are part of a two income family where you have a good retirement income, and access to very expensive homes this town might work for you. If you are a single older female with a moderate retirenment income and need to work to supplement it (and you will to afford rent here) this is a place that the word desolate will become defined in heartbreaking ways. Read Less
Good Retirement Community. For Others? Not So Much. 4 rating By Anonymous ( Feb 11, 2019) If I was in my 20's, 30's or 40's, back in the days when I was heavily into playing music live and meeting people, I would've passed on moving to Port Townsend. The entrenched citizens here went out of their way to make sure the city didn't grow too large or out of control. As s ...Read More uch, you won't find any big box stores like Walmart, Costco or Target, and there are barely any chain restaurants like Denny's, Red Lobster, or Domino's. There is a McDonald's and Subways, but as I understand, their settling in town didn't come without a legal fight. However, now that I'm retired and in my 50's, PT is perfect for me. It's quiet, relatively crime-free, leans politically to the left, and ultra-artistic. There are more musicians, artists, writers and painters per square mile than in neighboring towns. One of the few negative things I can say about PT is the lengthy walking distance to the main shopping areas. Because it's mainly located along one strip, if you live more than a mile or so away, you'll have a hard time getting to it without your own ride. Since the bus doesn't run at night or on Sunday, this can be a bit of a hardship if you don't have a car. Also, because PT is essentially in the boonies, TV and internet service will cost you a pretty penny. At $75/month, 100 Mbits is much too expensive. Even slower internet speeds would still cost around $45/month. Not practical for typical use at all. You can also forget about trying to get TV or internet via a 4g hotspot. I tried. PT simply has too many mountains, and is too remote from the main metro areas of Seattle, to get a satisfactory connection. So, PT - good if you're a retiree or raising young kids since the schools are nice, but not so much if you're 18+ and trying to experience life to the fullest like other young people do in larger metro areas. Read Less
Not a pleasant experience 0.5 rating By diver9999 ( Jun 05, 2017) After spending a year in Thailand I came back to the USA and rented a room in a house in Port Townsend. The co-landlord was a white middle aged liberal woman who started asking questions on where I stood on topics like politics, religion, etc and wouldn't even let me finish my a ...Read More nswers. She repeatedly got upset at me for no reason, broke into my room and went through my laptop, went through my personal things and got my social security number. I stayed a month and a half and left. Port Townsend is scenic and nostalgic, but many of the people are horrible. Visit for a day or so but don't stick around. Too bad I can't give this place a no star rating. Read Less
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Not a pleasant experience 0.5 rating By diver9999 ( Jun 05, 2017) After spending a year in Thailand I came back to the USA and rented a room in a house in Port Townsend. The co-landlord was a white middle aged liberal woman who started asking questions on where I stood on topics like politics, religion, etc and wouldn't even let me finish my a ...Read More nswers. She repeatedly got upset at me for no reason, broke into my room and went through my laptop, went through my personal things and got my social security number. I stayed a month and a half and left. Port Townsend is scenic and nostalgic, but many of the people are horrible. Visit for a day or so but don't stick around. Too bad I can't give this place a no star rating. Read Less

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Compare Port Townsend, WA Livability

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      F Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Port Townsend? Well, there are not many amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      35th Street Park
      Baker View Park
      North Beach County Park
      Bobby McGarraugh Park
      Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park
      Sather Park
      Bishop Park
      Gateway Park

      Entertainment

      Coast Artillery Museum
      Memory's Vault
      Port Townsend Marine Science Center
      Uptown Theater
      Bell Tower
      Gallery 9
      Starlight Room
      Cellar Door

      Food & Drink

      Taps at the Guardhouse
      Discovery Bay Brewing
      McDonald's
      Papa Murphy's
      The Pourhouse
      Hilltop Tavern
      Uptown Pub
      Subway

      B+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Port Townsend? Of all people who commute, 1.7% take public transportation in Port Townsend.
      Drive to Work
      73%

      3% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      2%

      3% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      7%

      4% higher than the US average

      B+ Health & Safety

      Is Port Townsend a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are some hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Jefferson Healthcare Hospital

      Pharmacies

      Doctors

      Urgent Care