City Guide
Tacoma, WA
Overview
Tacoma, WA, is known for its world-renowned glass art, found at the Museum of Glass. The city has around 220,000 residents, making it one of the larger cities in Washington state. An interesting fact about Tacoma is that its name means "The Mother of the Waters." Another fun fact is that The Tacoma Dome is the world's largest wood-domed arena.
What’s it like to live in Tacoma, WA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Tacoma, WA you'll find that the median sale price is
$517,500
and homes stay on the market for 7 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in Tacoma are $525,500
and $460,000
, respectively. Tacoma area townhouses have a median sale price of $477,450
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Tacoma, WAExplore our Tacoma housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how Tacoma home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Tacoma rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Tacoma rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Tacoma, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around Tacoma
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | $486,250 | 84 / 100 | 68 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Northeast Tacoma | $664,950 | 89 / 100 | 23 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| West End | $625,000 | 83 / 100 | 45 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| South Tacoma | $418,000 | 76 / 100 | 50 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| North End | $687,500 | 91 / 100 | 65 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
Tacoma Articles & Neighborhood Content
Read more on the Redfin blog
Popular homes for sale in Tacoma
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Tacoma
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
What is the cost of living in Tacoma?
The cost of living in Tacoma is 26% higher than the national average. Housing is typically the largest expense for most American households. In Tacoma, the average monthly rent is $1,967, while the median home price is $517,500. Overall, housing in Tacoma is 18% higher than the national average. Groceries, like produce, dry goods, and other essential household items, cost 8% higher in Tacoma. Though healthcare costs 17% higher in Tacoma compared to the national average, costs vary greatly by location, person, personal health, and health insurance. In Tacoma, an optometry check-up costs around $233.06, while a dentist appointment is $130.89 on average. Learn more about the cost of living in Tacoma. Discover how utilities, transportation, and lifestyle, compares against the national average.
Compared to the national average
26%
Cost of living
18%
Home prices
Cost of living calculator
Compare cities across the U.S.
Tacoma Migration & Relocation Trends
In Feb '25 - Apr '25, 22% of Tacoma homebuyers searched to move out of Tacoma, while 78% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 3% of homebuyers searched to move into Tacoma from outside metros.
- Spokane homebuyers searched to move into Tacoma more than any other metro followed by San Francisco and Houston.
Where are people moving to Tacoma from?
- 78% of Tacoma homebuyers searched to stay within the Tacoma metropolitan area.
- Phoenix was the most popular destination among Tacoma homebuyers followed by Portland and Bellingham.
Where are people from Tacoma moving to?
Number of People Moving to Tacoma
least
most
People are moving to Tacoma from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 1,151 | ||
| 2 | 852 | ||
| 3 | 583 | ||
| 4 | 211 | ||
| 5 | 100 | ||
| 6 | 95 | ||
| 7 | 90 | ||
| 8 | 72 | ||
| 9 | 11 | ||
| 10 | 10 | ||
People are leaving Tacoma for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 5,021 | ||
| 2 | 3,637 | ||
| 3 | 3,122 | ||
| 4 | 2,555 | ||
| 5 | 2,351 | ||
| 6 | 2,174 | ||
| 7 | 1,344 | ||
| 8 | 1,298 | ||
| 9 | 1,139 | ||
| 10 | 1,001 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in Tacoma, WA ?
Located on the banks of the Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA is home to many fun activities from strolling the local seaport to taking a quick nature walk. Tacoma has many popular museums including the LeMay - America's Car Museum, Museum of Glass, and Tacoma Art Museum, all of which are frequented by tourists and locals alike. Tacoma also offers a vibrant performing arts scene with venues like the Jazzbones Restaurant & Nightclub and Pantages Theater. There are numerous parks and green spaces within the city like Browns Point Lighthouse Park, Wright Park, and Point Defiance Park, which is filled with gardens, beaches, nature trails, and the Point Defiance Zoo. Restaurants and acclaimed eateries abound in Tacoma, so you don't want to skip over these local restaurants. For a quick taste of the town, stop by Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar, Cliff House Restaurant, or BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse.
Explore some of the best things to do in Tacoma
What's the best way to get around Tacoma, WA ?
The best way to get around Tacoma is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Tacoma has a walk score of 54, meaning this area is somewhat walkable. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 98421 and 98422. You can also get around Tacoma by bike. With a bike score of 48, there is a minimal amount of infrastructure for biking.
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Tacoma Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Tacoma has 3 heavy rail stations; Tacoma Sounder Station, Tacoma Dome Station - Transit Center, Tacoma Station. This allows you to use heavy rail to commute in and out of the city from the surrounding area and even travel to other cities.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Tacoma has 1 metro stop. There are few metro lines, which means it is difficult to use them to commute.
Marine Terminals & Ferries
Tacoma has 1 marine terminal; Pierce County Terminals. There are a few ferry lines, which are good for a day trip to a handful of places in the area.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 18 car rental locations. Renting a bike is another good way to get around. There are 2 bike rental locations.
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