Tacoma, WA Rental Market
Tacoma is one of the most important logistics and military cities on the West Coast, home to the Port of Tacoma — one of the largest container ports in North America — and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), one of the largest military installations in the United States with over 40,000 active-duty personnel. Its position as a significantly more affordable alternative to Seattle, combined with direct Sounder commuter rail and I-5 freeway access to the Seattle metro, makes Tacoma a top-performing rental market with strong demand from multiple tenant segments.
Get a rent estimate for an address in TacomaAverage Rent in Tacoma, WA
$1,650
per month · 2026-06
Market Score
Key Facts — Tacoma, WA Rental Market
- Average rent in Tacoma, WA:$1,650/mo
- Median rent:$1,518/mo
- Rent range:$825 – $3,650/mo
- Most common rental (2 bedrooms):$1,450/mo
- Active listings:1,800
- Avg days to lease:27 days
- Year-over-year change:+3.8%
- Median home value:$380,000
- Est. gross annual yield:5.2%
- Data as of:2026-06
Rent by Bedroom in Tacoma, WA
Average monthly rent for each bedroom type based on current active listings in Tacoma.
| Bedroom Type | Avg Rent/mo |
|---|---|
1 Bedroom | $1,200/mo |
2 Bedrooms | $1,450/mo |
3 Bedrooms | $1,850/mo |
4 Bedrooms | $2,275/mo |
5 Bedrooms | $2,600/mo |
Tacoma Rental Market Statistics
Key indicators from the current Tacoma, WA rental market.
1,800
Available now in Tacoma
27
From list to lease
$1.27
Average across listings
1,300 sq ft
Typical rental size
$825 – $3,650
Min to max active listings
+3.8%
Avg rent vs. prior year
Investing in Tacoma, WA Rental Properties
Estimated returns based on current market rents and median home values. Perform full due diligence before investing.
Median Home Value
$380,000
Typical purchase price in Tacoma
Est. Gross Annual Yield
5.2%
Before expenses & vacancy
Avg Monthly Income
$1,650
At average market rent
Gross yield = (avg rent × 12) ÷ median home value. Does not include expenses, financing, vacancies, or management fees. Analyze a specific property in Tacoma for a full cash-flow breakdown including all costs.
Tacoma, WA Rental Market FAQ
Common questions about renting and investing in Tacoma, WA.
What is the average rent in Tacoma, WA?
The average rent in Tacoma, WA is $1,650 per month as of 2026. One-bedroom apartments average $1,200/mo, two-bedrooms average $1,450/mo, and three-bedroom homes average $1,850/mo. The Stadium District, North End, and Proctor neighborhoods command the highest rents, while South Tacoma and East Tacoma near JBLM offer more affordable family-sized rentals.
Is Tacoma, WA a good place to invest in rental property?
Tacoma delivers a 5.2% estimated gross yield with 3.8% year-over-year rent growth — a compelling combination in the Puget Sound region. JBLM's 40,000+ military personnel provide a high-volume, reliable tenant base with BAH housing allowances. The Port of Tacoma and University of Washington Tacoma add further employment diversity. Seattle cost refugees continue to migrate south, sustaining strong demand growth.
How competitive is the Tacoma, WA rental market?
Tacoma has over 1,800 active listings and averages 27 days on market — brisk for a market its size. The Stadium District, North End, and neighborhoods near the University of Washington Tacoma campus see the fastest absorption. JBLM-adjacent neighborhoods in University Place and Lakewood maintain year-round demand from military families, with a predictable PCS season surge in late spring.
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