10 Most Affordable Tacoma Suburbs to Live In

The “City of Destiny,” Tacoma, WA, has become a destination for many people relocating to the Pacific Northwest. Tacoma is home to about 219,300 people, and is known for its gorgeous views of Mount Rainier, vibrant downtown area, museums, historical sites, and beautiful parks and recreation areas. 

As more people move to Tacoma, it’s important to keep in mind that the median home sale price is $475,000 and the average sale price per square foot is $300. Or if you’re a renter, the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Tacoma is $2,055.

If those numbers are out of your budget, don’t worry, we’ve got options to help you find a home. We’ve collected the 10 best affordable Tacoma suburbs to consider moving to. And the best part is that they’re all less than 25 minutes away from the city center. You’ll be close enough to explore Tacoma’s best activities without paying the price of city life.

#1: Parkland

Median home price: $425,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $286 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,795 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 15 minutes
Parkland, WA homes for sale
Parkland, WA apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of nearly $50K less than Tacoma, Parkland is number one on our list of most affordable Tacoma suburbs. About a 15-minute drive from downtown Tacoma, Parkland is home to roughly 38,600 residents. If you’re considering moving to this area, make sure to visit Breseman Forest, ice skate at Sprinkler Recreation Center, and enjoy the outdoors at one of the parks.

#2: Midland

Median home price: $455,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $279 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 15 minutes
Midland, WA homes for sale
Midland, WA apartments for rent

Midland is just a little more expensive than Parkland. The same distance from Tacoma as Parkland, you can visit the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in just a quick drive. When living in this suburb of almost 10,000 people, you can also explore the charming downtown.

#3: Spanaway

Median home price: $458,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $264 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 25 minutes
Spanaway, WA homes for sale
Spanaway, WA apartments for rent

Drive just 25 minutes outside Tacoma, and you’ll reach Spanaway, another great suburb. There are plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Spanaway. If you find yourself moving here, make sure to take a walk through Spanaway Park and enjoy the views of Spanaway Lake. 

#4: Lakewood

Median home price: $470,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $284 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,923 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 20 minutes
Lakewood, WA homes for sale
Lakewood, WA apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Spanaway is Lakewood, the next suburb on our list. With roughly 63,600 residents in this Tacoma suburb, check out the sights at Lakewold Garden or visit Fort Steilacoom Park.

#5: Puyallup

Median home price: $500,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $272 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,857 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 20 minutes
Puyallup, WA homes for sale
Puyallup, WA apartments for rent

Only a 20-minute drive into the city, consider adding Puyallup to your list of Tacoma suburbs to consider living in. Home to approximately 43,000 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for people looking to remain close to Tacoma, while paying less per square foot. Living in Puyallup, you can visit the Washington State Fair during the summer, walk or bike through the scenic Puyallup Riverwalk, and check out the historic Meeker Mansion.

#6: Fife

Median home price: $535,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $273 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 8 minutes
Fife, WA homes for sale
Fife, WA apartments for rent

Another noteworthy Tacoma suburb is Fife. With roughly 11,000 people calling Fife home, it’s a great area to consider moving to. Whether you tour the Fife History Museum, walk along the Puyallup Levee Trail or the Interurban South Trailhead, or pick up a pastry at a local bakery, there are many cool things to do and see in this suburb. 

#7: Sumner

Median home price: $542,575 
Average sale price per square foot: $294 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 20 minutes
Sumner, WA homes for sale
Sumner, WA apartments for rent

Next on our list of affordable Tacoma suburbs is Sumner, which is almost a 20-minute drive into the city center. With a population of about 10,600, you’ll live in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to experience in Sumner. If you’re going to call this area home, plan time to check out the Sumner Ryan House Museum and visit nearby Lake Tapps.

#8: Waller

Median home price: $569,950 
Average sale price per square foot: $264 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 15 minutes
Waller, WA homes for sale
Waller, WA apartments for rent

If you’ve lived in Tacoma for a while, you likely know of Waller. About 8,200 people reside in Waller, so you’ll have a fraction of Tacoma’s population while remaining only 15 minutes from the city.

#9: Fircrest

Median home price: $619,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $282 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 10 minutes
Fircrest, WA homes for sale
Fircrest, WA apartments for rent

Moving to Fircrest will give you access to downtown Tacoma in close to 10 minutes – as long as you don’t end up in traffic. Close to 7,200 people live in this suburb, but there’s always something new to explore in Fircrest, like spending time at one of the parks or green spaces.

#10: Steilacoom

Median home price: $712,475 
Average sale price per square foot: $281 
Driving distance from Tacoma: 25 minutes
Steilacoom, WA homes for sale
Steilacoom, WA apartments for rent

Last but not least on our list of affordable Tacoma suburbs is Steilacoom. If you’re lucky to avoid traffic, it’ll only take about 25 minutes to drive into Tacoma. This suburb has a population of 6,700, and there’s always something to check out while living in this charming town. You can visit the Steilacoom Historical Museum to learn about the area’s rich history, take a walk or bike ride along the beautiful waterfront, check out the quaint downtown area and do some shopping, or picnic in one of the many parks or beaches in Steilacoom. 

Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Tacoma and under a 25-minute drive from downtown Tacoma. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.

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