Federal Way, WA vs Imperial Beach, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Federal Way
61.8
#1889 nationally
Imperial Beach
62.9
#1815 nationally
Imperial Beach leads in walk score (69 vs 38). Federal Way leads in cost of living index (133 vs 167). Imperial Beach leads in average commute (27.2 min vs 33.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Federal Way, WA | Imperial Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.8 (#1889) | 62.9 (#1815) |
| Population | 97,701 | 25,458 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $598,030 | $844,131 |
| Median Household Income | $80,360 | $75,731 |
| Average Commute | 33.3 min | 27.2 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 69 |
| Crime Level | 14.9 | 14.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 167 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+16.8 |
D-
61.8 Score
Federal Way, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$598,030
Population
97,701
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Pacific
View Federal Way, WA →
D-
62.9 Score
Imperial Beach, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$844,131
Population
25,458
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Imperial Beach, CA →
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