Cost of Living in Pierce County, Washington
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Pierce County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Pierce County ranks #3,050 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 3%)
Sourced county brief
Pierce County median gross rent exceeds state unweighted county mean
Pierce County's median gross rent was $1,806 per month, exceeding the Washington unweighted county mean of $1,251. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) stood at 31.5%, which is 1.8 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 29.7%. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $2,011, while the state unweighted county mean was $1,320. The median home value in the county was $526,600, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $436,313. Renter households reported a median income of $68,118. This snapshot uses data from the 2020-2024 ACS period to describe housing costs and median incomes across different household tenures. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Pierce County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 31.5% of renter household income in Pierce County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,806 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $2,011. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $72,240 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Washington unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,251 per month. Pierce County's $1,806 median is 44.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Pierce County
Rent Burden
21.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,323
per month
Owner Cost Burden
24.2%
of gross income
The median home in Pierce County may be a stretch
Median home value is $526,600. Estimated monthly cost: $4,204 vs. your max of $2,323.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Pierce County, Washington?
What is the median rent in Pierce County?
Is Pierce County affordable?
How does Pierce County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Pierce County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Pierce County, Washington? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Pierce County
Whether you're buying in Pierce County, Washington, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.