Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Tacoma, WA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.9% of gross income.

Tacoma rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Tacoma median rent
$1,749/mo
Plumber salary (Washington)
$75,152/yr
Rent as % of income
27.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,263, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,879/mo in rent. Tacoma's median rent of $1,749 leaves roughly $130/mo of headroom under that threshold. A plumber works roughly 48.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a plumber salary

Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Washington cities have lower median rent than Tacoma, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

La Center, WA
$1,748/mo (27.9% of income)
Wenatchee, WA
$1,747/mo (27.9% of income)
Vancouver, WA
$1,747/mo (27.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Tacoma

View full rent data for Tacoma, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Tacoma, WA?

Median rent in Tacoma is $1,749 a month. A typical plumber in Washington earns about $75,152 a year, which makes that rent 27.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Tacoma?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Washington (~$75,152/yr) supports up to $1,879 a month in rent. Tacoma's current median rent is $1,749/mo, which leaves a $130/mo buffer.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Tacoma?

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a plumber in Washington works roughly 48.4 hours a month to cover Tacoma's median rent of $1,749.

Where is rent cheaper than Tacoma for a plumber?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include La Center ($1,748/mo), Wenatchee ($1,747/mo), Vancouver ($1,747/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Washington state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Tacoma, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.