Signals
Elk Plain
Federal Way
Opportunity
43 · Bottom 23%
vs37 · Bottom 13%
Climate
74 · Top 35%
vs74 · Top 35%
Physical resilience
33 · Bottom 25%
vs41 · Bottom 31%
Housing affordability
70 · Bottom 33%
vs54 · Bottom 14%
Access
83 · Bottom 26%
vs95 · Top 40%
Economic stability
65 · Top 39%
vs59 · Bottom 48%
Measured values
| Metric | Elk Plain | Federal Way | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,276 | 99,493 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $107,313 | $86,909 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,898 | $40,975 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,704/sq mi | 4,459/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $473,500 | $552,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,172 | $1,797 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 84.2% | 55.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.3% | -1.6% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.5% | 30.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 13.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 76°F | 77°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 36°F | 38°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.0" | 39.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 28 mi | 10 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 38.6 min | 34.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.0 | 37.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Elk Plain
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Federal Way
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Elk Plain
61
Your Score
—
Area Score
Federal Way
55
Your Score
49
Area Score
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Full profiles: Elk Plain, WA · Federal Way, WA · How this is calculated: methodology