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Retirement community in Tacoma, Washington

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Tacoma, Washington Retirement Guide

52

Retirement Score

Tacoma, Washington at a Glance

Median Home Price
$492,800
State Income Tax
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
Avg January Low
34.7°F
Cost of Living Index
110 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
52 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Tacoma, Washington, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
110 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$79,085High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Tacoma's cost of living is 10% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$492,800High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
56.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Tacoma using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,068

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,199

Median home price used: $492,800

Median rent reference: $1,575 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Tacoma, Washington after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
21.5 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
21.5 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
39.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Tacoma scores 21.5 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Tacoma

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Tacoma

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Washington has a tax environment that is highly favorable for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
79.2°FMedium confidence
Avg January Low
34.7°FMedium confidence
Annual Precipitation
47.5"Medium confidence
Sunny Days / Year
248 daysMedium confidence

With 248 sunny days a year and an average January low of 34.7°F, Tacoma offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
66 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
23.8 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
17.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
219,234High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
36.9High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
14.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
10.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
32.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
61.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
10.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
12.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
8.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Tacoma

What is the cost of living in Tacoma, Washington for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 110, roughly 10% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $492,800.

Does Washington tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Washington residents: No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.

What is the climate like in Tacoma, Washington?

Tacoma, Washington has January average low around 35°F, July average high around 79°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Tacoma, Washington?

Tacoma scores 22/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES INC

Financial Advisor

STOLZ & ASSOCIATES, PS

Financial Advisor

D'ANNUNZIO CONSULTING GROUP, LLC

Financial Advisor

+56 more financial advisors available

Interested in Tacoma? Talk to a Local Expert.

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