Tacoma, WA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 22, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Tacoma is $1,744, a 0.89% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,729.
Studio Apartments at $1,335 offer the most budget-friendly option with 460 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 672 square feet for $1,610, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,882 offer 963 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,172 sq ft) for $2,291, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Tacoma, WA
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,744 | 809 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,335 | 460 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,610 | 672 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,882 | 963 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,291 | 1,172 sq. ft. |
Tacoma, WA rent trends
Rental prices in Tacoma, WA have increased by 0.89% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,729 to $1,744.
What's the typical rent budget in Tacoma, WA?
The largest share of rentals in Tacoma, WA (52%) fall between $1,501-$2,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Tacoma, WA?
39,868 or 44% of the households in Tacoma, WA are renter-occupied while 51,744 or 56% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Tacoma?
Eastside Tacoma $1,492/month
South End Tacoma $1,537/month
Sunset South $1,545/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,744/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Tacoma?
Kelso $1,999/month
North East Tacoma $2,092/month
North End Tacoma $2,149/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Tacoma, WA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| North End Tacoma | $2,149 |
| North East Tacoma | $2,092 |
| Kelso | $1,999 |
| The Boulders | $1,971 |
| West End Tacoma | $1,841 |
| Fife | $1,832 |
| Central Tacoma | $1,807 |
| Johnson Estates | $1,740 |
| New Tacoma | $1,715 |
| South Tacoma | $1,632 |
| Fircrest | $1,582 |
| Sunset South | $1,545 |
| South End Tacoma | $1,537 |
| Eastside Tacoma | $1,492 |
Tacoma | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Central Tacoma is 21% higher than in Eastside Tacoma
Central Tacoma rent is 4% higher than Tacoma average
Eastside Tacoma rent is 14% lower than Tacoma average
How Tacoma Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Tacoma | $1,744 |
| Seattle | $2,242 |
| Pullman | $1,424 |
| Vancouver | $1,737 |
| Spokane | $1,397 |
| Everett | $1,849 |
| Bellevue | $2,716 |
| Kent | $1,907 |
| Renton | $2,122 |
| Kirkland | $2,510 |
| Lynnwood | $2,094 |
| Federal Way | $1,881 |
| Puyallup | $2,022 |
| Lacey | $1,846 |
| Lakewood | $1,654 |
| Auburn, WA | $1,850 |
| Olympia, WA | $1,769 |
| Fife, WA | $1,832 |
| SeaTac, WA | $1,746 |
| Burien, WA | $1,913 |
| Des Moines, WA | $1,784 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Tacoma apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.