Studio Apartment Rent in Tacoma, WA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Tacoma, Washington as of July 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $1,749 and +12% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Tacoma
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Tacoma
Compare Tacoma's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Washington
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeen | $790 |
| 2 | Port Angeles | $800 |
| 3 | Pullman | $800 |
| 4 | Chehalis | $870 |
| 5 | Sedro-Woolley | $893 |
| 6 | Ellensburg | $910 |
| 7 | Longview | $930 |
| 8 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 9 | Cheney | $950 |
| 10 | Kelso | $950 |
| 11 | Clarkston | $970 |
| 12 | Shelton | $970 |
| 13 | Spokane | $974 |
| 14 | Wenatchee | $990 |
| 15 | Yakima | $1,027 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Washington
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,255 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,060 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,815 |
| 4 | Maple Valley | $2,610 |
| 5 | Bothell | $2,473 |
| 6 | North Bend | $2,310 |
| 7 | Mukilteo | $2,310 |
| 8 | Covington | $2,310 |
| 9 | Lake Stevens | $2,280 |
| 10 | Newcastle | $2,260 |
| 11 | Edmonds | $2,180 |
| 12 | Bellevue | $2,152 |
| 13 | Kenmore | $2,140 |
| 14 | Monroe | $2,130 |
| 15 | Lynnwood | $2,070 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Tacoma.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Tacoma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkland, WA | 6.5 mi | $1,290 | $-150 (-10%) |
| University Place, WA | 6.5 mi | $1,365 | $-75 (-5%) |
| Midland, WA | 6.8 mi | $1,401 | $-39 (-3%) |
| Lakewood, WA | 7.1 mi | $1,290 | $-150 (-10%) |
| Fife, WA | 7.7 mi | $1,630 | +$190 (+13%) |
| Clover Creek, WA | 9 mi | $1,555 | +$115 (+8%) |
| Federal Way, WA | 9.7 mi | $1,483 | +$43 (+3%) |
| Milton, WA | 10.2 mi | $1,990 | +$550 (+38%) |
| Gig Harbor, WA | 11.7 mi | $1,815 | +$375 (+26%) |
| Puyallup, WA | 12.8 mi | $1,626 | +$186 (+13%) |
| Spanaway, WA | 13.8 mi | $1,590 | +$150 (+10%) |
| Des Moines, WA | 14.4 mi | $1,990 | +$550 (+38%) |
Studio rent in Tacoma — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Tacoma?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Tacoma, Washington is $1,440 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $1,749.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Tacoma?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $57,600 ($4,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Tacoma expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Tacoma's studio median of $1,440 is +12% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 61th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tacoma rank for studio rent in Washington?
Among the 103 cities in Washington with studio data, Tacoma ranks #44 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Tacoma?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Parkland ($1,290), University Place ($1,365), Midland ($1,401).