True Cost of Renting in Tacoma
Tacoma is Puget Sound's second-largest city and a genuine alternative to Seattle for renters who want Pacific Northwest urban life at a steep discount. Joint Base Lewis-McChord — the country's largest joint military installation by population — anchors the south side and provides stable rental demand. Tacoma Public Utilities offers some of the cheapest electric rates in Washington. The Link Light Rail extension to Tacoma (opened 2022) enables car-free Seattle commutes.
Neighborhoods & Average Rents
Proctor District / North Tacoma
- Studio:
- $1,100/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,500/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $2,100/mo
Walkable neighborhood along North 26th Street with boutique shops and restaurants; mix of craftsman apartment buildings and newer infill. Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) electric is among the cheapest in WA. Street parking generally available.
Stadium District / Downtown
- Studio:
- $1,000/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,400/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,900/mo
Historic downtown neighborhood near the Stadium High School landmark and Commencement Bay waterfront; mix of restored Victorian buildings and newer apartments. Link Light Rail to Seattle in 50–60 minutes. TPU electric.
South Tacoma
- Studio:
- $900/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,200/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,700/mo
Working-class district closest to Joint Base Lewis-McChord; military-focused apartment complexes and older residential buildings. Most affordable area in the city. Car-recommended. I-5 access to JBLM is 15 minutes.
Utility Providers
- Electric
- TPU (Tacoma Public Utilities)
- Water
- Tacoma Public Utilities
- Internet
- Comcast Xfinity, Ziply Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet
Commute & Transportation
Tacoma is 30 miles south of Seattle on I-5 — 35–40 minutes off-peak, 60–90 minutes in rush hour. The Tacoma Link Light Rail (TLink) connects Downtown Tacoma to the Tacoma Dome Station, which connects to the regional Sounder commuter rail to Seattle King Street Station in 55 minutes. Joint Base Lewis-McChord sits immediately south of Tacoma along I-5 and employs 40,000+ active duty, reserves, and civilians. The Port of Tacoma is a major shipping hub. University of Washington Tacoma campus is in the urban core, and UWT has been a significant revitalization anchor.
Rental Market Overview
Tacoma offers Seattle-area access at 35–45% below Seattle rents, making it popular with JBLM military families (BAH rates calibrated to local rents), UW Tacoma students, and remote workers. TPU electric rates are among the lowest in WA, often $0.08–0.10/kWh — significantly lower than Seattle City Light and dramatically lower than California utilities. Washington state prohibits local rent control. Security deposits limited to 1 month's rent. Tacoma has seen 20–30% rent growth since 2019 as Seattle overflow demand hit the market, but remains one of the most affordable large cities in the Pacific Northwest.
Data last updated: 2026-04
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