UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
Tacoma, WA is the #58 Best City to Live in the USA
| Tacoma, WA Quality of Life Liv Score 614 How We Calculate Our Data |
|---|
| Civics | 28 |
| Demographics | 68 |
| Economy | 82 |
| Education | 52 |
| Health | 59 |
| Housing | 62 |
| Infrastructure | 46 |
| Amenities | 54 |
Why Tacoma is one of the best cities to live in
Located south of Seattle, flecks of creativity, urbanism, history, sophistication, friendliness and more combine to create the thriving city of Tacoma, WA. Home to just shy of 220,000, this city boasts amazing eateries, the well-known Museum of Glass (which only puts a dent in the city’s exquisite arts scene), cute shops, fun music venues – the list goes on and on. Plus, the Tacoma area is known for its diverse, sturdy economy that’s home to strong aerospace, health care, logistics and technology industries, making it one of the best places to live in the U.S. For residents, this means great career opportunities are vast. Plus, the city is continually working to empower its residents as well as create a more diverse and inclusive workforce and community.
As Seattle’s sister city just across the Sound, Tacoma is making a mark of its own. World-class health care, walkable neighborhoods, many parks and easy access to the Cascade Mountains make Tacoma a top choice for growing families. Oh, and when it comes to spending time outdoors, Tacoma offers a collection of hiking and biking trails, great golf courses and much more.
Key industries in the Tacoma area include aerospace, health care, logistics and technology.
Bates Technical College, Tacoma Community College, University of Puget Sound, the University of Washington Tacoma & Pacific Lutheran University
The city boasts a mild climate year-round, with an annual high of 62. However, Tacoma does receive a decent amount of rain.
Ruston Way is a beautiful 2-mile path with views of the water where you can walk, jog, fish and more.
Tacoma, WA is Remote-Ready
The cost of living in Tacoma is slightly below the state average, with most residents owning their homes. There are lots of cafes and bars as well as plenty of coworking spaces, like The Pioneer Collective, SurgeTacoma and Union Club, where you can work from when your home office just won’t do.
What Locals Love in Tacoma, WA
King’s Books is the spot to find a fabulous new or used read.
Shop local! You can find locally-owned shops all over the city. Then plan a trip to the aforementioned Museum of Glass, the largest and most interactive museum glass studio on the entire West Coast. Located on the water, right in downtown – which includes a handful of other great art museums – the acclaimed gallery offers live glass-blowing demonstrations, powerful exhibitions and unique DIY glass experiences.
Gaze at the gorgeous lighthouse that stands at Browns Point Lighthouse Park.
1022 South J, a seasonal craft cocktail bar, is the perfect place to meet friends for drinks.
The Camp Bar is a pretty great place to grab a burger, a s’more and a cocktail. And, if you’re feeling brave from the liquid courage, the joint also has karaoke.
A strong economy, friendly residents and easy access to outdoor adventure make Tacoma a best place to live in Washington.
Thinking of Moving to Tacoma?
Hugging Commencement Bay in the the beautiful northwest, Tacoma real estate is eclectic and offers a wide variety of homes to meet the needs of people in all stages of life. The North End showcases some of the oldest homes for sale in Tacoma, while Central Tacoma’s neighborhoods of HIllside and Hilltop provide condos, townhomes, and single-family homes boasting beautiful views of the city and mountains, and the Gig Harbor and Peninsula areas provide a maritime atmosphere just outside Tacoma’s urban area. While we only touched on a few of the best places to live in the city, there are several Tacoma real estate agents available to help you find the perfect home.
Quick Facts About Tacoma, WA
- Average Commute
- 23.18
- Median Home Value
- $460,674
- Med. Household Income
- $70,303
- Total Population
- 222,374
- Walk Score
- 51
- Median Property Tax
- $3,752
