Signals
Elk Plain
Puyallup
Opportunity
43 · Bottom 23%
vs46 · Bottom 29%
Climate
74 · Top 35%
vs74 · Top 35%
Physical resilience
33 · Bottom 25%
vs33 · Bottom 25%
Housing affordability
70 · Bottom 33%
vs64 · Bottom 26%
Access
83 · Bottom 26%
vs89 · Bottom 39%
Economic stability
65 · Top 39%
vs70 · Top 29%
Measured values
| Metric | Elk Plain | Puyallup | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,276 | 42,746 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $107,313 | $97,826 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,898 | $46,096 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,704/sq mi | 2,976/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $473,500 | $551,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,172 | $1,812 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 84.2% | 52.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.3% | -1.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.5% | 29.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 7.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 76°F | 76°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 36°F | 36°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.0" | 42.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 28 mi | 19 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 38.6 min | 33.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.0 | 36.5 | 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.
Puyallup
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Elk Plain, WA · Puyallup, WA · How this is calculated: methodology