Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Port Orchard, WA
Considering a move to Port Orchard, WA? This scenic city of 16,600 offers affordable living with median home prices around $409,000 and average rents near $1,575. Residents enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, a 30-minute average commute, and access to quality schools. Port Orchard features mild, rainy winters, 42% sunny days, and low violent crime rates (220 per 100k). Explore its beautiful surroundings, welcoming community, and nearby amenities for a balanced Pacific Northwest lifestyle.
Demographics - Port Orchard, WA
Demographics - Port Orchard, WA
Port Orchard is home to approximately 16,600 residents, with a median age of 36.2 and a balanced gender ratio. The community is predominantly White (81%) but includes a mix of other backgrounds, and nearly 9% speak a language other than English at home, reflecting a modest level of diversity.
Population:
16,600
Density:
2,300 per sq mi
Median Age:
36.2
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
8.6%

Ethnic Composition
White:
81.0%
Black:
3.1%
Asian:
3.2%
Others:
12.7%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Port Orchard, WA?
The cost of living in Port Orchard is moderately higher than the national average, driven by a median home value of $409,000 and average rents around $1,575. Utilities and groceries remain reasonably priced, and Washington state's lack of income tax helps offset some expenses for residents.
Median House Value:
$409,000
Gross Rent:
$1,575
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$1,370
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,020
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$635
State Taxes:
Low:
0%
|
High:
9.0%
Cost Of Living Index:
118.6
Grocery:
106.2
Housing:
124.3
Utilities:
95.8
Transportation:
112.5
Health Care:
107.1
Miscellaneous:
104.5
Crime
Is Port Orchard, WA a safe place to live?
Port Orchard enjoys a relatively low violent crime rate of 220 incidents per 100,000 people, offering residents a reassuring sense of safety. Property crime is more common, with a 1 in 46 chance annually, making it important to stay vigilant about home security.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
220
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,150
Crime Index:
2,370
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 455
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 46
Weather
What is the weather like in Port Orchard, WA year-round?
The city experiences mild, wet winters with average lows around 36°F and pleasant summers peaking near 75°F. Annual rainfall is about 41 inches, and residents enjoy sunshine roughly 42% of the year, contributing to the lush Pacific Northwest landscape.

Winter
Min:
36°F
Max:
46°F

Spring
Min:
42°F
Max:
60°F

Summer
Min:
54°F
Max:
75°F

Fall
Min:
44°F
Max:
62°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
41 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
42%
Neighbors
Port Orchard households typically earn about $75,300 annually, with a per capita income of $34,700 and a poverty rate just above 11%. Most residents commute around 30 minutes for work, and educational attainment is strong with nearly 92% holding at least a high school diploma.
Median Income:
$39,300
Household Income:
$75,300
Family Income:
$85,000
Per Capita Income:
$34,700
Income Male:
$46,000
Income Female:
$39,000
Poverty Rate:
11.4%
Non English Speakers:
8.6%
Rent:
$1,575
Unemployment Rate:
4.7%
Public Transport Usage:
2.1%
Commute Time:
30.4 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
91.8%
Bachelors or More:
28.9%
Education
How are the schools in Port Orchard, WA?
Families in Port Orchard benefit from well-rated public and private schools, with student-teacher ratios around 17–20 in local elementary and middle schools. Higher education is easily accessible, with Olympic College just 9 miles away, serving about 12,000 students.

Public Schools
Name:
Sidney Glen Elementary School
Street:
500 SW Birch Rd
Phone:
360-443-3470
Students:
420
Student Teacher Ratio:
17.1
Name:
Marcus Whitman Middle School
Street:
1887 Madrona Dr SE
Phone:
360-874-6167
Students:
800
Student Teacher Ratio:
19.5

Private Schools
Name:
Kitsap Adventist Christian School
Street:
5088 NW Taylor Rd
Phone:
360-377-4542
Students:
65

Colleges
Name:
Olympic College
City:
Bremerton
State:
WA
Distance:
9 miles
Students:
12,000
Healthcare
Residents have access to quality healthcare, including nearby St. Michael Medical Center and a physician availability of 2.2 per 1,000 people. Over 92% of the population has health insurance, supporting a healthy community environment.

Major Hospitals
Name:
St. Michael Medical Center
Address:
2520 Cherry Ave, Bremerton, WA 98310
Phone:
(360) 744-8800
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
92.6%
Health Care Index:
77.4
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Port Orchard, WA?
Port Orchard’s housing market features a median home price of $409,000 and an average two-bedroom rent of $1,575. Just over half of residents own their homes, with a modest home appreciation rate of 3.9% and a low foreclosure rate, making it a stable place to invest in property.
Median Home Price:
$409,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,575
Owner Occupied Rate:
54.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.4%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
3.9%
New Construction Rate:
1.3%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.6%
DMV Information
Local residents are served by the Washington State Department of Licensing located in nearby Bremerton, offering convenient access for driver's licenses, vehicle registration, and related services.
State:
Washington
Department:
Washington State Department of Licensing
Address:
2825 3rd Ave, Bremerton, WA 98312
Phone:
360-902-3900
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.