Federal Way, WA vs South El Monte, 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
South El Monte
62.5
#1853 nationally
South El Monte leads in walk score (61 vs 38). South El Monte leads in average commute (27.7 min vs 33.3 min). Federal Way leads in median household income ($80,360 vs $67,724).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Federal Way, WA | South El Monte, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.8 (#1889) | 62.5 (#1853) |
| Population | 97,701 | 19,032 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $598,030 | $759,990 |
| Median Household Income | $80,360 | $67,724 |
| Average Commute | 33.3 min | 27.7 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 14.9 | 12.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 148 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+32.9 |
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-
62.5 Score
South El Monte, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$759,990
Population
19,032
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View South El Monte, CA →
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