Downtown aerial view of Tacoma at sunset

Cost of Living

Beat the high costs of other major metros without sacrificing your quality of life in Tacoma-Pierce County.

Better Value, Endless Possibilities

Located in one of the top states to live in the nation, Pierce County offers more cultural options per capita than any other U.S. city outside of Washington, D.C., with more than 1,500 square miles to explore and a cost of living dramatically less than New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and our northern neighbor Seattle. With median home prices less than $500,000, and utilities 30% less than the national average, Tacoma-Pierce County offers a high quality of life for a fraction of the price of other major metros, leaving you with more money to spend on adventures across the Evergreen state.

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Fast Facts

31% Lower Cost of Living than Seattle BestPlaces

No Personal State Income Tax Washington State Department of Revenue

Median Home Prices Less Than $500,000 BestPlaces

#2 Best State Economy WalletHub 2021

#4 Fastest Income Growth Speed (Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue) Best Places News 2020

Two women push strollers along a bike path in the Port of Tacoma

Buy and Rent Here
Living Here

Buy and Rent Here

Renting and Buying a Home in Tacoma-Pierce County

If you’re looking to rent a property in Pierce County, there are plenty of affordable options. Rent ranges from nearly $850/month for a studio to nearly $2,300/month for a four-bedroom home.

Looking to buy a home in Tacoma-Pierce County? Our region has a wide variety of housing options to choose from. Rated one of the best counties for families in Washington state, Pierce County’s median home prices are less than $500,000. Housing choices range from traditional Victorian and Craftsman styles to condos in a Greater Tacoma neighborhood or rural acreages near Mount Rainier.

Pierce County has housing resources available to assist you on your home-buying and renting journey. Learn more about these resources here.

Living Here

Utilities and Healthcare

Pierce County boasts an average cost of living 31% less than that of our northern neighbor, Seattle. Utilities are about 30% less than the national average and high-quality healthcare costs less here too – nearly 16% less than the national average. With low medical costs and world class healthcare providers like MultiCare, Kaiser Permanente and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Tacoma-Pierce County is your key to a healthier life.