Rents are 11% below what Tacoma's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,760 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Tacoma, WA is majority owner-occupied, 34.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Tacoma, WA has changed in 5 years
Rent in Tacoma, WA has climbed 22.1% since 2021, going from about $1,441 per month to roughly $1,760 today. Census figures show median household income at $85,884 today, compared with $69,956 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 217,332 to 222,758 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.5% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 31.3% to 34.5%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Tacoma on your salary?
At $1,760/mo, how Tacoma rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Tacoma rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Tacoma. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Tacoma
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Tacoma is $1,760/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,440/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,983/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,612/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,782/mo.
At 25% of local median household income ($85,884/yr), Tacoma ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tacoma an affordable city for renters?
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Which Tacoma neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Tacoma rent compare to other cities in Washington?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tacoma?
What percentage of Tacoma residents rent vs. own?
How does Tacoma rent compare to the national average?
At $1,760/mo, rent takes ~25% of Tacoma's median household income ($85,884/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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