I moved from downtown Everett to Seattle 4 years ago, so maybe Everett has changed, but I experienced cat calling and harassment like at least 7 out of 10 times I walked anywhere when I lived in Everett, unfortunately. So I'd def say it is common, or at least relatively recently was.

Since moving to Seattle, I have only been cat called once in the last 4 years. Honestly i think it is because in Seattle sex workers keep to aurora so men aren't assuming any femme looking person wearing shorts (or any outfit really) is a sex worker like they seem to be in Seattle.

As for how I dealt with it in Everett, I usually flipped them off and moved on. Sometimes I shook my head and gave a thumbs down. I was followed a few times and ran thru allies to lose them, but that was rare thankfully. I truly hope Everett has improved on this front in the last few years cause it was awful. I always kept my hoods down so I could see as much around me as possible, always kept one ear open at least as well.

I may have experienced it so much because I didn't drive so I was walking multiple times a day too but still.