City · 222,758 residents · Pierce County, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
In Tacoma, a typical home is worth $479,600 and typical rent is $1,676 a month. Compared with all of Pierce County, typical household income is 14% lower, the typical home value is 9% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 9 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $448,065 to $482,647.
Typical rent
$1,773a month
▲ 2.1% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,546 to $1,773.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Tacoma is in Pierce County. The FHA loan limit ($1,063,750 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Pierce County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
56% of households in Tacoma own their home, against 65% in Pierce County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Tacoma
What homes there are in Tacoma, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Tacoma
Pierce County
Washington
United States
Kind of home: Tacoma and its comparisons
Measure
Tacoma
Pierce County
Washington
United States
Detached house
61%
65%
62%
61%
Attached house
3%
5%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
7%
7%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
29%
18%
22%
19%
Mobile home
1%
5%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
In Tacoma, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Pierce County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Tacoma
Pierce County
Washington
United States
Year built: Tacoma and its comparisons
Measure
Tacoma
Pierce County
Washington
United States
Before 1960
43%
20%
21%
26%
1960–1979
21%
23%
23%
24%
1980–1999
18%
29%
27%
25%
2000–2009
9%
16%
15%
14%
2010 or later
9%
13%
14%
11%
The typical home in Tacoma was built in 1967, 19 years before the typical one in Pierce County.
Homes in Tacoma are smaller: 51% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Pierce County, 64%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitCould be either side
Under $100K3%
$100K–$200K2%
$200K–$300K5%
$300K–$500K46%
$500K–$750K29%
$750K–$1M11%
$1M or more5%
FHA limit: $1,063,750
Value of owner-occupied homes: Tacoma and its comparisons
Measure
Tacoma
Under $100K
3%
$100K–$200K
2%
$200K–$300K
5%
$300K–$500K
46%
$500K–$750K
29%
$750K–$1M
11%
$1M or more
5%
The FHA limit for Pierce County is high ($1,063,750): at least 95% of owner-occupied homes in Tacoma are worth less than $1,000,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $5006%
$500–$9998%
$1,000–$1,49925%
$1,500–$1,99932%
$2,000–$2,49918%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $2,064
$2,500–$2,9996%
$3,000 or more6%
Monthly rent with utilities: Tacoma and its comparisons
Measure
Tacoma
Under $500
6%
$500–$999
8%
$1,000–$1,499
25%
$1,500–$1,999
32%
$2,000–$2,499
18%
$2,500–$2,999
6%
$3,000 or more
6%
About 73% of rented homes in Tacoma cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for Pierce County ($2,064).
With a mortgage
$2,303 a month
Pierce County: $2,423 a month
Without a mortgage
$879 a month
Pierce County: $836 a month
Owners with a mortgage
73%
Pierce County: 71%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Tacoma is $2,303 a month, near the figure in Pierce County ($2,423).
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Tacoma+73%
Pierce County+74%
Washington+67%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Tacoma+42%
Pierce County+45%
Washington+40%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Tacoma+38%
Pierce County+38%
Washington+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Tacoma and its comparisons
Measure
Tacoma
Pierce County
Washington
United States
Typical home value
+73%
+74%
+67%
+53%
Typical rent
+42%
+45%
+40%
+33%
Typical household income
+38%
+38%
+33%
+29%
The typical home value in Tacoma rose 73% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Pierce County (74%).
The typical rent in Tacoma rose 42% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Pierce County (45%).
Housing prices ran ahead of income in Tacoma: typical income rose 38%, against +73% for home values and +42% for rent.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Tacoma and its comparisons
Measure
Tacoma
Pierce County
Washington
United States
Rental vacancy
3.9%
4.1%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.5%
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
3.7%
3.4%
3.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.33
2.59
2.50
2.53
Drive alone
66%
71%
63%
69%
Carpool
10%
10%
9%
9%
Public transit
4%
2%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
3%
3%
4%
3%
Work from home
16%
14%
20%
15%
Other means
1%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Open rentals in Tacoma look like those in Pierce County: the rental vacancy rate is 3.9%.
Much as in Pierce County, 3.7% of households in Tacoma have more than one person per room.
On average, a household in Tacoma has 2.33 people, fewer than in Pierce County (2.59).
The car rules in Tacoma: 66% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 20 to 29 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Tacoma?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Tacoma, worth $479,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 56% of the typical household income in Tacoma, which is $85,884 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $170,305 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Pierce County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Tacoma. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $16,786 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$3,974
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$470,913
Total interest
$677,534
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $8,099 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,004 a month
Tight
$2,004 to $2,577 a month
Hard
more than $2,577 a month
Your payment · 56%
Compared with the typical household income in Tacoma ($85,884 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$3,190
Property tax
$372
Home insurance
$200
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$212
You need at least $16,786 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $3,974; principal and interest $3,190.
The city and its county
Tacoma and Pierce County
Tacoma is in Pierce County, Washington. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Tacoma
Map of Pierce County, Washington, with Tacoma marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Tacoma
Pierce County
Other cities with a page
Tacoma's own numbers
Typical home value
$479,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,676
Typical yearly household income
$85,884
Households that own their home
56%
Effective property tax rate
0.93%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Pierce County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,063,750
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,063,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,064
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+46%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Pierce County.
A typical home in Tacoma is worth $479,600: 9% below the county and 15% below Washington. With the typical household income in Tacoma ($85,884 a year), a typical home costs 5.6 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Tacoma5.6 years
Pierce5.3 years
Washington5.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Pierce County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Pierce County rose 132% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Pierce County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Pierce County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +11.1% +11.1% 2016
2017: +11.6% +11.6% 2017
2018: +11.3% +11.3% 2018
2019: +7.7% +7.7% 2019
2020: +7.4% +7.4% 2020
2021: +16.7% +16.7% 2021
2022: +15.6% +15.6% 2022
2023: +0.7% +0.7% 2023
2024: +4.1% +4.1% 2024
2025: +2.9% +2.9% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Pierce County, Washington and the United States
Period
County
Washington
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.9%
+1.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+46%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+132%
+113%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Tacoma next to Pierce County, Washington and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Tacoma$479,600
Pierce$526,600
Washington$564,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Tacoma$1,676
Pierce$1,806
Washington$1,760
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Tacoma$85,884
Pierce$99,564
Washington$98,141
United States$80,734
See the full table
Tacoma next to Pierce County and Washington
Measure
Tacoma
Pierce County
Washington
U.S.
Typical home value
$479,600 ▼9% below the county
$526,600
$564,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,676 ▼7% below the county
$1,806
$1,760
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$85,884 ▼14% below the county
$99,564
$98,141
$80,734
Households that own their home
56% ▼9 points below the county
65%
64%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,482 ▼6% below the county
$4,770
$4,556
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.93% ▲0.02 points above the county
0.91%
0.81%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
55% ▲2 points above the county
53%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Pierce County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Tacoma
For a typical $479,600 home in Tacoma, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Tacoma's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$3,974a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$16,786
Cash to close
$31,174
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $212
Conventional, 5% down$3,886a month
Down payment
$23,980
Cash to close
$38,368
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $228
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,171a month
Down payment
$95,920
Cash to close
$110,308
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$3,614a month
Down payment
$71,940
Cash to close
$86,328
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Tacoma
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$3,974
$16,786
$470,913
7.18%
FHA MIP · $212
$31,174
580
Conventional, 5% down
$3,886
$23,980
$455,620
7.18%
PMI · $228
$38,368
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,171
$95,920
$383,680
7.18%
None
$110,308
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$3,614
$71,940
$407,660
8.18%
None
$86,328
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Tacoma is $1,676 a month: 7% below the county. In Tacoma, 55% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Pierce County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,064 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $39.69 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Pierce County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,491
$28.67
$59,640
1 bedroom
$1,682
$32.35
$67,280
2 bedrooms
$2,064
$39.69
$82,560
3 bedrooms
$2,849
$54.79
$113,960
4 bedrooms
$3,219
$61.90
$128,760
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Tacoma
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Tacoma has 13 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,780 in 98403 to $2,500 in 98422.
4 of the 13 are above the fair market rent for Pierce County ($2,064).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 13 ZIP codes of Tacoma, beside the one for Pierce County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,780 in 98403 to $2,500 in 98422. 4 of the 13 are above the fair market rent for Pierce County ($2,064).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $2,064
Lowest: $1,780 (98403)Highest: $2,500 (98422)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Tacoma, fiscal year 2027.
98402
$1,430
$1,610
$1,980
$2,730
$3,090
98403
$1,290
$1,450
$1,780
$2,460
$2,800
98404
$1,290
$1,460
$1,790
$2,470
$2,800
98405
$1,350
$1,520
$1,870
$2,580
$2,920
98406
$1,500
$1,690
$2,070
$2,860
$3,230
98407
$1,570
$1,780
$2,180
$3,010
$3,400
98408
$1,370
$1,540
$1,890
$2,610
$2,950
98409
$1,440
$1,620
$1,990
$2,750
$3,100
98416
$1,500
$1,690
$2,070
$2,860
$3,230
98418
$1,370
$1,550
$1,900
$2,620
$2,960
98421
$1,350
$1,520
$1,870
$2,590
$2,930
98422
$1,810
$2,040
$2,500
$3,450
$3,900
98465
$1,290
$1,460
$1,790
$2,470
$2,800
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
98402 $1,980$2,730
98403 $1,780$2,460
98404 $1,790$2,470
98405 $1,870$2,580
98406 $2,070$2,860
98407 $2,180$3,010
98408 $1,890$2,610
98409 $1,990$2,750
98416 $2,070$2,860
98418 $1,900$2,620
98421 $1,870$2,590
98422 $2,500$3,450
98465 $1,790$2,470
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Tacoma when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 77 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Tacoma. These are the largest.
Renew ThaMultiple, Tacoma 98405456 low-income homes · 1 bd: 353 · 2 bd: 56 · 3 bd: 39 · 4 bd: 8 · In service since 2018 · For older adults, families
Westside Estates922 N Pearl St, Tacoma 98406448 homes, 441 low-income · 1 bd: 386 · 2 bd: 62 · In service since 1997
Shag Affordable Senior Living Communities203 S G St, Tacoma 98405431 homes, 423 low-income · 1 bd: 373 · 2 bd: 58 · In service since 2016 · For older adults, people with disabilities
Woodmark Apartments2425 96th St S, Tacoma 98444288 homes, 286 low-income · 1 bd: 120 · 2 bd: 168 · In service since 2006 · For people with disabilities
Vintage at Tacoma4028 S Lawrence St, Tacoma 98409231 homes, 229 low-income · 1 bd: 117 · 2 bd: 112 · In service since 2013 · For older adults
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Pierce County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Tacoma or Pierce County. The ones below are statewide in Washington: they work in Tacoma the same as in the rest of the state.
Washington state commission 0% second mortgage for 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, with no monthly payments; you do not need to be a first-time buyer.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan with no monthly payments of up to 20% of the price (maximum $150,000) plus closing costs, for first-time buyers whose family lived in Washington before 1968 and belonged to a group affected by housing discrimination, including Hispanic people.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan of up to $15,000 at 1% simple interest, with no monthly payments, for the down payment and closing costs of first-time buyers with the House Key Opportunity mortgage.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
No legal help resource on our list is for Tacoma or Pierce County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Tacoma and all of Pierce County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Tacoma?
The typical home value in Tacoma is $479,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Pierce County it is $526,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Tacoma?
Typical rent in Tacoma is $1,676 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Pierce County is $2,064.
What is the FHA loan limit in Tacoma?
Tacoma uses the FHA limit for all of Pierce County (2026): $1,063,750 for a one-unit home and $2,045,700 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Tacoma?
The typical homeowner in Tacoma pays $4,482 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.93% of the home’s value; in Pierce County, the rate is 0.91%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Tacoma?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Pierce County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
