Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 17% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
16%
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,498
Population
223,602
Renter Mix
49% Rent
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.
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
Median Household Income
$76,380
Average: $97,034
Education
60,944
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
112,255
Workers Employed
Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 17% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
16%
Housing Distribution
In Tacoma, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Tacoma, WA is $1,229 for a studio, $1,496 for one bedroom, $1,815 for two bedrooms, and $2,256 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Tacoma has increased by 0.8% in the past year.
The cost of living in Tacoma, WA is 27.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Tacoma is 62.3% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,229 - $2,256. You can expect to pay 8.6% more for groceries, 9.8% less for utilities, and 27.8% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Tacoma, WA is for everyday living.
Very Walkable
Walkability
Some Public Transit
Transit
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
559 Students
Clover Creek Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
630 Students
Public
Grades K-5
630 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
517 Students
Browns Point Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
434 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
720 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
659 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
565 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
694 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
586 Students
Science And Math Institute (SAMi)
Public
Grades 9-12
610 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
879 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,571 Students
School of Industrial Design Engineering And Art (iDEA)
Public
Grades 9-12
420 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
997 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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© 2026. All rights reserved.
† 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 June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.