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Cost of Living in Pierce County, WA

Population 930,319 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,806
Median home value$526,600
Median household income$99,564

The median rent in Pierce County, WA is $1,806/month, 3% higher than the Washington median and 28% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $526,600, 58% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $99,564 a year, about the same as the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 21.8%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $72,240/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 5.3×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $2,663/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Pierce County vs. Washington vs. U.S.

Pierce CountyWashingtonU.S.
Median rent$1,806$1,760$1,413
Median home value$526,600$564,600$332,700
Median household income$99,564$98,141$80,734
Homeownership rate64.7%63.8%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher30.9%39.6%35.7%
Poverty rate8.8%9.9%12.5%
Unemployment rate5.2%5.1%5.2%
Work from home13.9%19.8%15.1%
Median age37.038.338.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Pierce County, WA?

The median gross rent in Pierce County, WA is $1,806 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Pierce County, WA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $72,240 a year in gross income.

Is Pierce County, WA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 28% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 5.3 times the median household income.

Other counties in Washington

King County, WARent $2,092 · Income $124,746Snohomish County, WARent $1,949 · Income $111,246Spokane County, WARent $1,283 · Income $78,582Clark County, WARent $1,748 · Income $97,536Thurston County, WARent $1,736 · Income $96,563Kitsap County, WARent $1,822 · Income $104,158

Counties with a similar cost of living

Prince George's County, MDRent $1,799 · Income $101,798Paulding County, GARent $1,772 · Income $98,031Travis County, TXRent $1,744 · Income $99,611Essex County, MARent $1,756 · Income $101,883Richmond County, NYRent $1,733 · Income $98,333Kauai County, HIRent $1,870 · Income $97,668

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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