Cost of Living in Port Orchard, WA

Population 16,398 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

150
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Port Orchard a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $492,000.

Geographically, Port Orchard sits roughly 14 miles west of Seattle. Median home values run roughly 46% lower than Seattle's $912,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 161
Rent 134

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Port Orchard

The median home value in Port Orchard is $492,000 — 61% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,760/month, 34% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $81,472/year is 9% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. Washington charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 61.6°F and lows of 46.0°F. Overall, Port Orchard has a cost of living index of 150 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 50% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$492,000
61% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$550,322
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,760/mo
34% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,947/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.0%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$963
1 BR
$1,018
2 BR
$1,317
3 BR
$1,845
4 BR
$2,071
Owner-occupied 58.9%
Renter-occupied 41.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,760
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,374/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
33.2 min
23% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.7%
Carpooled
10.1%
Public transit
7.0%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
9.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.2%
State rate 6.5%
Avg local rate 2.7%
Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$81,472
9% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,091
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
10% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Labor Force Participation
61.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.1%
Graduate degree 9.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.9
Male median age 31.3
Female median age 34.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.6°F
Avg Low
46.0°F
Annual Precip
36.5"
30° 43° 55° 68° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495155606771777772615348
Low °F 373739444954585854464036
Precip" 5.213.713.942.891.981.220.560.831.373.495.805.49

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 22 — Good
92.6%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
349
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

85%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
18
Public schools
9,981
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Port Orchard, WA?

Port Orchard has a cost index of 150 (100 = national average). It is 50% above the national average.

What is average rent in Port Orchard, WA?

The median gross rent in Port Orchard is $1,760 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Port Orchard?

The median home value in Port Orchard is $492,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Port Orchard?

The median household income in Port Orchard is $81,472 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Port Orchard, WA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Port Orchard is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.

Is Port Orchard, WA affordable?

Port Orchard is above average in cost of living, with an index of 150 — about 50% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Port Orchard?

Port Orchard has average high temperatures of 61.6°F and average lows of 46.0°F. Annual precipitation is 36.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Port Orchard at a Glance

Population
16,398
Median Income
$81,472
Home Value
$492,000
Median Rent
$1,760/mo
Unemployment
5.3%
Avg High Temp
61.6°F
Sales Tax
9.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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