Tacoma

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Tacoma, WA

Area Guide

The City of Destiny boasts creativity and scenic views

Coastal Affordable Artistic Active Mountain Views

Living in Tacoma offers sweeping views of Mount Rainier and easy access to Puget Sound's waterfront. This port city features an array of housing options, from historic Craftsman homes in the North End to apartments in downtown. Point Defiance Park spans 700 acres, featuring beaches, hiking trails, and the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The Stadium and Proctor Districts each offer local shops and restaurants within walkable neighborhoods. Current rental data shows average rents of $1,481 for one-bedroom apartments with a 1.93% annual increase.

The Museum of Glass, connected to downtown by the Bridge of Glass showcasing Dale Chihuly's works, anchors Tacoma's museum district. The University of Washington Tacoma campus occupies beautifully restored historic warehouses, while the Theatre District's Pantages Theater hosts performances throughout the year. The city's dining scene flourishes along 6th Avenue and in the Lincoln International District. Ruston Way's waterfront path offers waterside dining and recreation opportunities with panoramic views. Originally a railroad terminus, Tacoma retains its historic architecture while embracing modern development throughout its neighborhoods.

Explore the City

Tacoma's impressive Museum of Glass

Historic Union Station in Tacoma

Stadium High School's legendary football field overlooking Puget Sound

Boating is a popular Tacoma pastime

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Tacoma, WA is $1,239 for a studio, $1,477 for one bedroom, $1,775 for two bedrooms, and $2,201 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Tacoma has increased by 1.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,477/month
645 Sq Ft
House
$2,601/month
1,408 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,163/month
1,050 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,278/month
990 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Tacoma, WA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Tacoma, WA is 23.0% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Tacoma is 56.1% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,239 - $2,201. You can expect to pay 5.4% more for groceries, 10.2% less for utilities, and 23.5% more for transportation.

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Transportation

59

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

49

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Clover Creek Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

630 Students

Geiger Montessori School

Public

Grades PK-5

517 Students

Browns Point Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

434 Students

James Sales Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

401 Students

Washington Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

358 Students

Spanaway Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

720 Students

Mason Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

659 Students

Columbia Junior High School

Public

Grades 8-9

565 Students

Baker Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

694 Students

Meeker Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

586 Students

Science And Math Institute (SAMi)

Public

Grades 9-12

610 Students

Fife High School

Public

Grades 10-12

879 Students

Stadium High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,571 Students

Washington High School

Public

Grades 9-12

997 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Children's Museum of Tacoma
  • Seymour Botanical Conservatory
  • Foss Waterway Seaport
  • Tacoma Nature Center
  • Swan Creek Park

Airports

  • Seattle-Tacoma International

Top Apartments in Tacoma

Houses for Rent in Tacoma

Property Management Companies in Tacoma, WA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.