Living in Tacoma, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Tacoma · Census data 2020–2024
Tacoma has 222,758 residents with a median age of 37.2. The median household income is $85,884 (12% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $479,600, the median rent is $1,676/month.
Tacoma at a glance
- Population
- 222,758
- Median age
- 37.2State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $85,884State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $479,600State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,676/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 55.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34.5%
- Average commute
- 29 min
Is Tacoma a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 15% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Washington median; an average commute of 29 minutes; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 12.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Tacoma
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Tacoma the median home value is $479,600, 44% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,676 per month, which is 32.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,303 a month in housing costs.
Tacoma median household income
The median household income in Tacoma is $85,884 and the income per person is $45,650. 12.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Tacoma: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 97,298
- Owner-occupied
- 55.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.2%
- Vacant
- 4.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1967
- Average household size
- 2.33
Tacoma demographics
- Population
- 222,758
- Median age
- 37.2
- Under 18
- 19.8%
- 65 and older
- 15%
- Households
- 93,033
- Foreign-born
- 12.6%
- Veterans
- 8.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Tacoma ›
Education in Tacoma
34.5% of adults 25 and older in Tacoma have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 13.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Tacoma
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 29 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 15.7%
- Drive alone
- 66%
- Public transit
- 3.9%
- Walk to work
- 2.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.8%
Tacoma vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma | 222,758 | $85,884 | $479,600 | $1,676 |
| Fircrest | 7,069 | $113,926 | $583,500 | $1,554 |
| Browns Point | 979 | $96,875 | $795,500 | $2,025 |
| Ruston | 1,245 | $116,331 | $912,700 | $2,598 |
| Dash Point | 889 | $130,234 | $890,500 | — |
| University Place | 34,911 | $99,031 | $624,800 | $1,762 |
| Fife | 10,949 | $90,532 | $543,100 | $1,889 |
| Fife Heights | 1,446 | $157,292 | $712,400 | $2,542 |
| Waller | 7,683 | $101,490 | $512,200 | $1,787 |
More for people moving to Tacoma
Tacoma ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Tacoma: FAQ
What is the median household income in Tacoma, WA?
The median household income in Tacoma is $85,884, 12% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Tacoma?
The median home value in Tacoma is $479,600, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Tacoma?
The median gross rent in Tacoma is $1,676 per month, about 32.4% of household income.
Is Tacoma, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 15% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Washington median; an average commute of 29 minutes; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 12.4%.
What is the median age in Tacoma?
The median age in Tacoma is 37.2 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Tacoma?
The average commute to work in Tacoma is 29 minutes; 15.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Tacoma?
The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 5.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Tacoma?
34.5% of adults in Tacoma have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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