Moving to Tacoma (Answering questions on how to do it!)

As part of my job I speak to a lot of folks relocating to Tacoma and Pierce County from around Washington State and across the country. While everyone is different, I answer a lot of the same questions over and over again. Moving to Tacoma in 2022 is a bit more of a process than it was in 2015 when I first started my website MovetoTacoma.com. Let’s talk about it.

How much does moving to Tacoma cost?

The median home price for Tacoma going into 2022 is about $450,000. For Pierce County as a while the median sits at $515,000. Home prices increased 17% in 2021. They increased 15% the year before in 2020. While the expectation is that home prices will increase more slowly in 2022- Tacoma is still a very strong seller’s market. That means people moving to Tacoma will have to compete with many other buyers for homes. As 2022 gets going, there is less competition in the higher price points (over $650,000) but it is still a sellers market.

How do I find the right neighborhood for me in Tacoma?

This is by far the biggest question I am asked. This will depend on your budget, the style of home you want, and what amenities you’re hoping for. In most neighborhoods in Tacoma the homes are older, even historic. We have lots of craftsman and victorian homes in Tacoma! For folks looking for more contemporary homes or new construction, this may mean moving further out in Pierce County.

The good news is no matter what your budget almost every neighborhood in Tacoma boasts a business district and great parks. So whether you’re wanting to move to the most affordable neighborhood in Tacoma or the most expensive neighborhood in Tacoma– that lifestyle is possible! If you’re especially interested in moving to the Pierce County Suburbs check out this past post on how to do that.

I created this clickable neighborhood map of Tacoma and Pierce County to help people compare different neighborhoods by median home price, location, architecture, and more. I’ve worked hard to get information on each neighborhood from people who actually live there, and include quotes from the neighbors whenever I can. It’s a constant work in progress, but I’m very proud of it.

What if I’m commuting to SeaTac Airport, JBLM, or to Seattle?

This is a super common question people moving to Tacoma ask. I’ve written a bunch of blog posts for people commuting (I’ll include some below) but here are the most common commute times from Downtown Tacoma by car:

Downtown Seattle – 1 to 1.5 hours in rush hour

Olympia – 30 to 45 minutes in rush hour

Bellevue – 50 minutes to 1.5 hours in rush hour

JBLM – 15 to 30 minutes in rush hour

Commuting by car to Seattle or Bellevue can be hard on the soul. The freeways get very congested during drive times. If you’re looking for alternatives check out the ST Express Buses and Sounder Commuter Train.

Additional resources for commuting:

Commute Hacks with Justin Camarata – Move to Tacoma Podcast

Cities that are Great for Commuting to JBLM – Cities and Neighborhoods in Pierce County close to Base

Best Tacoma and Pierce County Neighborhoods for Commuting to Seattle – Blog post

Here are some additional resources for checking out how to move to Tacoma: