salaryRent is higher than in 61% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 8.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 14.6 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $74,640 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Washington. It is number 63 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Port Townsend?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Port Townsend
| Size | Port Townsend | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,530 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $752 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,628 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,919 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Port Townsend overall?
Everyday prices in Washington overall are 7% above the U.S. average (index 107.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Port Townsend, so the Washington figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Port Townsend
Life in Port Townsend
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Port Townsend?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,904 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $543,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $54,340 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Port Townsend, WA?
Renting in Port Townsend costs a median of about $1,866 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Port Townsend?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $74,640 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Port Townsend cheap or expensive?
Port Townsend is rated Expensive: rent takes 33.2% of the typical household income of $67,521. It ranks 63rd cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Port Townsend?
The median homeowner in Port Townsend pays $3,969 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Port Townsend more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Washington are 7% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Port Townsend?
The median home value in Port Townsend is $543,400, about 8.0 times the typical yearly household income.
10,438 people live in Port Townsend. Numbers are typical (middle) values.