Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Tacoma, WA

    Is Tacoma a good place to live?

    Watch Tacoma

    Tacoma ranks #30 of 51 Washington cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (48/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.6% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $454,600
    +9.5% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,597
    per month
    Household income
    $83,857
    median
    Unemployment
    5.3%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Tacoma

    The median home value in Tacoma is $454,600 and median rent is $1,597 a month, against a median household income of $83,857. Homes cost about 5.4× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Tacoma crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Washington the 2025 rate was 292 violent and 2,017 property crimes per 100,000 people — #8 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Tacoma, WA

    Tacoma has about 220,482 residents, 5.3% unemployment and 21% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Tacoma with

    Tacoma vs SeattleTacoma vs SpokaneTacoma vs VancouverTacoma vs BellevueTacoma vs KentTacoma vs EverettTacoma vs Spokane ValleyTacoma vs Renton

    More: Where to move in Washington · Best counties in Washington

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report