salaryTacoma is the 3rd-largest city in Washington that we track, with 222,758 residents. Rent is higher than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,760 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Washington. It is number 82 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Tacoma with other big cities
Compare Tacoma to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Tacoma?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Tacoma
| Size | Tacoma | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,344 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,502 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,883 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,322 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,469 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Tacoma overall?
Everyday prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area are 11% above the U.S. average (index 111.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Tacoma
Life in Tacoma
What jobs pay in Tacoma
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $167,290 | 13.9% |
| Software Developer | $167,280 | 13.9% |
| Lawyer | $164,980 | 14.1% |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | 14.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $160,090 | 14.6% |
| Operations Manager | $146,030 | 16.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | 17.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $133,690 | 17.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | 18.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $116,480 | 20.0% |
| Police Officer | $115,120 | 20.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,920 | 22.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $102,170 | 22.8% |
| Electrician | $101,780 | 22.9% |
| Firefighter | $101,090 | 23.1% |
| Accountant | $99,370 | 23.5% |
| Plumber | $95,230 | 24.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $85,690 | 27.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $80,100 | 29.1% |
| Carpenter | $76,410 | 30.5% |
| Truck Driver | $71,240 | 32.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,500 | 37.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $57,280 | 40.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $53,550 | 43.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $51,990 | 44.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,740 | 48.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,730 | 48.9% |
| Cashier | $44,210 | 52.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $42,080 | 55.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Tacoma?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,384 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $479,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $47,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Tacoma, WA?
Renting in Tacoma costs a median of about $1,944 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Tacoma?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,760 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Tacoma cheap or expensive?
Tacoma is rated OK: rent takes 25.2% of the typical household income of $92,626. It ranks 82nd cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Tacoma?
The median homeowner in Tacoma pays $4,482 a year in property taxes, about 0.93% of the median home value.
Is Tacoma more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Tacoma?
The median home value in Tacoma is $479,600, about 5.2 times the typical yearly household income.
222,758 people live in Tacoma. Numbers are typical (middle) values.