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Those who love moving to a serene city, packed with amazing recreation and job opportunities, must consider Tacoma as their next destination. Situated in the Pacific Northwest, approximately 32 miles south of Seattle, along the shores of Commencement Bay on Puget Sound, Tacoma is a key port city that supports trade, shipping, and industry, serving as a transportation hub that connects western Washington.
An economic and cultural center of the South Sound region, Tacoma is surrounded by striking natural features, including Mount Rainier, dense evergreen forests, and scenic waterways, offering residents easy access to hiking, skiing, kayaking, and a national park.
And if you are seriously considering the city of Washington as your new moving destination, it is good to know about Tacoma in detail.
Fortunately, our moving experts have researched the city in and out and have all the relevant information you need to know.
Let’s take a tour through our Tacoma moving guide that covers every factor about the city, including taxes, jobs, salary, cost of living, transport, healthcare, education, safety, and entertainment.
We guarantee accurate and recent information at your fingertips.
Tacoma offers a strong balance of urban amenities and natural beauty, featuring waterfront views, Mount Rainier scenery, and easy access to outdoor activities. It is more affordable than Seattle and other nearby cities and serves as a strong economic center, contributing to job availability and cultural diversity. With its mild climate, rich history, and improving infrastructure, Tacoma appeals to families, professionals, and retirees alike.
The cost of living in Tacoma is slightly higher than the U.S. average. However, when compared to Seattle and other major Washington cities, overall expenses such as housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and taxes are lower, making Tacoma a practical choice for families.
As of 2020, Tacoma’s population is 219,346, with a density of 4,484 people per square mile. The city is highly diverse, with a median age of 37.9. The average household size in Tacoma is 2.4.
Tacoma is one of the more populated cities in Washington State, which impacts commuting time. Residents spend an average of 29.0 minutes commuting one way, which is longer than the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes.
If you are keen to know how Tacoma residents commute, here are the latest stats:
Tacoma has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures typically range from the upper 70s to mid-90s, while winter temperatures average around 40°F. Snowfall is minimal, and many winters see little to no snow. July is the hottest month, and January is the coldest.
Here are a few Tacoma weather facts:
The next are a few reasons that make Tacoma a major moving destination. Our experts researched to point out 7 positives of the Washington city that make it a hot-moving location.
Before you make up your mind to pack the bags to Tacoma, it is vital to analyze both the pros and cons of moving here. To help you, we’ve got the best and worst of the city. Cross-check both before you take the final call.
The first thing you will require in Tacoma will be a house on rent, and the surroundings are also crucial, especially for those who have a family. And you are lucky that there are many decent neighborhoods in this city.
We’ve filtered out the best neighborhoods in Tacoma and around.
Here are the 10 best neighborhoods in Tacoma and around to rent or buy a house.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Home rental | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North End | $2,110 | $635,000 |
| 2 | Northeast Tacoma | $2,200 | $640,000 |
| 3 | West End | $1,850 | $440,000 |
| 4 | New Tacoma | $1,810 | $410,000 |
| 5 | Central Tacoma | $1,650 | $440,000 |
| 6 | Old Town | $1,850 | $400,000 |
| 7 | Eastside Tacoma | $1,500 | $410,000 |
| 8 | South Tacoma | $1,490 | $402,000 |
| 9 | South End Tacoma | $1,410 | $410,000 |
| 10 | Hilltop | $1,510 | $450,000 |
When compared to some big cities in Washington, Tacoma is affordable to raise a family. However, in comparison to your current location, the expenses may look much higher. As per the records, the cost of living in Tacoma is 25.7% higher than in the US. The city is growing with a strong economy, and this will also lead to higher salaries here.
Here is a break-up of the cost of living in Tacoma.
| Living expense | Tacoma | Washington | National average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 128.7 | 118.9 | 100 |
| Grocery | 113.9 | 112.1 | 100 |
| Health | 127.7 | 122.3 | 100 |
| Housing | 156.7 | 135.8 | 100 |
| Median home cost | $485,500 | $610,100 | $291,700 |
| Utilities | 94.1 | 91.4 | 100 |
| Transportation | 125.5 | 124.1 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 119.5 | 111.7 | 100 |
Tacoma’s economy is growing, and this contributes to plenty of jobs. The city is an attractive place for job seekers, and if you also fall into this group, you will have reasons to smile here. The most popular industries include manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and education.
And we’ve got a few job-related facts in Tacoma, which may benefit you.
| Indicator | Tacoma | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The Income per Cap | $19,273 | $37,638 |
| Household Income | $69,916 | $69,021 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0 | 6 |
| Recent Job Growth | 1.0% | -6.2% |
| Future Job Growth | 39.9% | 33.5% |
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Start My Quote NowTacoma’s job market is growing, and this trend is expected to continue for a few more years. If you are in search of a job, Tacoma is a good choice, and having a list of fast-growing companies is a decent idea.
Here are the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in Tacoma.
| Rank | Job title | Growth rate | Average salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wind Turbine Service Technicians | 131.3% | $62,520 |
| 2 | Solar Photovoltaic Installers | 128.2% | $51,860 |
| 3 | Nurse Practitioners | 123.6% | $129,210 |
| 4 | Data Scientists | 121.3% | $112,590 |
| 5 | Information Security Analysts | 117.2% | $124,910 |
| 6 | Medical & Health Services Managers | 112.1% | $117,960 |
| 7 | Physical Therapist Assistants | 110.3% | $65,110 |
| 8 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | 108.6% | $68,340 |
| 9 | Physical assistants | 107.2% | $133,260 |
| 10 | Computer & Information Research Scientists | 105.5% | $140,910 |
While you search for a job in Tacoma after relocating here, the paycheck will be a vital factor.
Here are the highest-paying jobs in Tacoma.
| Rank | Job title | Average salary | Entry level salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rheumatologist | $369,172 | $180,000 |
| 2 | Nephrologist | $326,444 | $184,000 |
| 3 | President/Chief Executive Officer | $312,529 | $169,000 |
| 4 | Hospitalist Physician | $307,991 | $218,000 |
| 5 | Cardiologist | $302,025 | $153,000 |
| 6 | Radiologist | $277,893 | $139,000 |
| 7 | Physician | $272,668 | $143,000 |
| 8 | Endocrinologist | $258,309 | $154,000 |
| 9 | Hospitalist | $253,709 | $162,000 |
| 10 | Pain Medicine Physician | $245,710 | $129,000 |
Tacoma’s housing market is robust, and you can buy a new house for $485,500. While this may seem higher than the US average, home values in Tacoma are much lower than the normal Washington price. About 54.3% of the population here owns a house.
We’ve got the latest city housing facts for you.
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Start My Quote NowYour initial days in Tacoma will be in rented homes, and this makes home rentals crucial. You can find an average home in the city for a pocket-friendly rental. We’ve got the average home rental in Tacoma, and maybe the details will help you.
Your take-home salary is greatly based on the tax the state levies on you. And it is the same in Tacoma as well. The more Washington levies taxes, the lower your take-home money, and this also means you need to earn more. And knowing the tax structure in Tacoma is a good idea.
Here are a few tax-related facts in Tacoma.
Living in Tacoma is not just about business, but it is also about entertainment. One of the serene and scenic places in Washington, the city has no shortage of fun activities, both indoor and outdoor. Once you move here, be ready to explore the unlimited fun that will keep your holidays and weekends occupied.
We’ve got a list of the 10 best things to do in Tacoma.
If you are serious about relocating to Tacoma, you should also be aware of the crime rate in Tacoma. The city ranks high in crime rate. The city records a violent crime rate almost three times higher than the national average. Even the property crime rate is almost three times higher than the US average. Only about 40% of the residents feel that the city is pretty safe to live in.
To help you know the crime stats in Tacoma, we’ve got a few facts.
Tacoma ranks high in education and the city is home to some of the best schools in Washington. Hence, when you move here with a family, you will easily find a school for your child just near the home.
To help you, we’ve prepared a list of top educational institutions with their rankings.
Catherine G Johnson Elementary & Middle Schools
Public, K-8 | 559 students | 9/10
Clover Creek Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 630 students | 9/10
Browns Point Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 434 students | 7/10
Downing Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 255 students | 6/10
Jefferson Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 303 students | 5/10
Spanaway Junior High School
Public, 6-8 | 720 students | 7/10
Mason Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 659 students | 7/10
Columbia Junior High School
Public, 6-8 | 565 students | 6/10
Baker Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 694 students | 5/10
Stewart Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 627 students | 5/10
Fife High School
Public, 10-12 | 879 students | 9/10
Stadium High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,571 students | 7/10
Washington High School
Public, 9-12 | 997 students | 7/10
Dr. Dolores Silas High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,114 students | 6/10
Franklin-Pierce High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,141 students | 6/10
Rank 1. University of Puget Sound
Rank 2. University of Washington Tacoma
Rank 3. Pacific Lutheran University
Rank 4. Tacoma Community College
Rank 5. The Evergreen State College Tacoma
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