Tacoma, Washington
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Tacoma, WA.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Tacoma, WA?
Tacoma planning snapshot: population 228,202, housing index 134 (above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $454,600, median rent $1,597, and income near $83,857. Expect 74°F summer highs, 36°F winter lows, and about 30-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 845.2 per 100k (catalog avg 559.5).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 134U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $454,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,597U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $83,857U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.4%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 30 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 845.2per 100k · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 74°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Tacoma compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 228,202City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $83,857Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year7% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 134ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year34% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $454,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year50% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,597City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year18% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.4%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 20261.2 pts above U.S. rateU.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 30 min20% above catalog avgCatalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5420% above catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 845.2per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)51% above catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 5220.7per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)74% above catalog avgCatalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 74°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 36°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear catalog avg (35°F)Catalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 42 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals27% above catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 197As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals26% below catalog avgCatalog avg 268
Population trend
Tacoma grew 15.1% from 198,230 in 2010 to 228,202 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Tacoma, WA expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Tacoma runs 34 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 134 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $454,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,597 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Tacoma, WA?
Budget first around $1,597/month rent or $454,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $454,600
- Median rent $1,597/month
- Median household income $83,857
What is the job market like in Tacoma, WA?
Labor-market context for Tacoma: unemployment 5.4% and median income $83,857. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.4% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $83,857
How long is the typical commute in Tacoma, WA?
Plan on roughly 30 minutes each way in Tacoma. Walk Score estimates around 54 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 30 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 54/100
Is Tacoma, WA safer than similar U.S. cities?
Tacoma's FBI-derived violent rate (~845.2/100k) sits at or above the catalog average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 845.2 per 100k
- Property 5220.7 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Tacoma, WA?
Tacoma's climate profile: 74°F summer peaks, 36°F winter mornings, 42" annual rainfall, and 197 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 74°F
- Winter low 36°F
- 42 in rain · 197 sunny days
Gray winters west of the Cascades and dry inland basins split lifestyles. Expect summer highs near 74°F and winter lows around 36°F. Average one-way commute time is about 30 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 54/100. Labor-market readings near 5.4% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. FBI CIUS Table 8 violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~845.2 per 100k), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Relocators eyeing Tacoma, Washington will find roughly 228,202 residents within city limits. With median income around $83,857 and a cost index of 134, the market reads above the national housing-cost baseline. Budget for median rents around $1,597 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Tacoma is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI crime figures, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Tacoma with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Tacoma city, 1600000US5370000) — As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Pierce County, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094274 TACOMA NARROWS AP) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19