The 10 Best Tacoma Suburbs To Live In For 2026

Source: Flickr User rutlo | CC BY 2.0

$219,069 median income · $2,326,984 median home price

Located in King County, Washington

Median income +123% vs WA

$219,069

WA $98k

Median home value +287% vs WA

$2,326,984

WA $601k

Unemployment -41% vs WA

3.0%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -62% vs WA

3.8%

WA 9.9%

Mercer Island is always mentioned as one of the best suburbs in the Tacoma area. We’ll tell you the good about “Awesome Mercer Island.”

Everyone here is rich; families average $219,069 a year, which is the 3rd highest in the Tacoma region. And only 3.0% are out of work. Homes average more than $2,326,984 each.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Flickr User KurtClark | CC BY 2.0

$250,001 median income · $4,133,450 median home price

Located in King County, Washington

Median income +155% vs WA

$250,001

WA $98k

Median home value +588% vs WA

$4,133,450

WA $601k

Unemployment -8% vs WA

4.7%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -74% vs WA

2.6%

WA 9.9%

Clyde Hill is the second best ‘burb we looked at near Tacoma for 2026.

It ranks 2nd for incomes in the area and only 0.3% of residents lack insurance, good for best.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Here in Medina, it’s really safe, and residents are just about as rich as you’ll see in the Tacoma metro area.

The bad side? Schools are more crowded, and the cost of living puts a large part of the city out of reach for most families.

But price is based on demand and a lot of people want to live in Medina.

Data

Source: Wikipedia User Joe Mabel | GFDL

$154,669 median income · $1,158,594 median home price

Located in King County, Washington

Median income +58% vs WA

$154,669

WA $98k

Median home value +93% vs WA

$1,158,594

WA $601k

Unemployment -35% vs WA

3.3%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -47% vs WA

5.2%

WA 9.9%

Issaquah ranks as the 4th best suburb of Tacoma for 2026.

You won’t find many better places to raise your kids in the region than in Issaquah and the schools are some of the best around.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Joe Mabel | GFDL

$152,885 median income · $799,653 median home price

Located in King County, Washington

Median income +56% vs WA

$152,885

WA $98k

Median home value +33% vs WA

$799,653

WA $601k

Unemployment -6% vs WA

4.8%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -52% vs WA

4.8%

WA 9.9%

Coming in as the fifth best is Maple Valley.

Maple Valley gets kudos for having the 11th most expensive homes in the Tacoma area, where houses sell for an average of $799,653. However, the cost of living here is among the highest in the area.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Joe Mabel | GFDL

$162,476 median income · $1,050,869 median home price

Located in King County, Washington

Median income +66% vs WA

$162,476

WA $98k

Median home value +75% vs WA

$1,050,869

WA $601k

Unemployment -55% vs WA

2.3%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -51% vs WA

4.9%

WA 9.9%

Normandy Park is proud of its 6th place finish on this list. And here’s why.

Most residents have great jobs and the unemployment rate sits at 2.3%.

According to online reports, Normandy Park is quickly becoming one of the more affluent suburbs in the Tacoma area, meaning you need to get in soon.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Casey Yee | CC BY-SA 2.0

$172,188 median income · $1,173,703 median home price

Located in Kitsap County, Washington

Median income +75% vs WA

$172,188

WA $98k

Median home value +95% vs WA

$1,173,703

WA $601k

Unemployment -45% vs WA

2.8%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -65% vs WA

3.5%

WA 9.9%

The 7th best suburb on our list goes to Bainbridge Island.

Bainbridge Island schools are some of the best in the region, and crime is really low. The cost of living makes it a lot more desirable for many families, especially first-time home buyers.

And, it’s only 27.0 miles to downtown, which is a good thing.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Joe Mabel | GFDL

$141,383 median income · $776,133 median home price

Located in King County, Washington

Median income +44% vs WA

$141,383

WA $98k

Median home value +29% vs WA

$776,133

WA $601k

Unemployment -75% vs WA

1.3%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -79% vs WA

2.1%

WA 9.9%

Black Diamond is growing quickly, and for a good reason. Crime is far below average, and most residents are gainfully employed. Even the cost of living is reasonable.

A solid 2.5% of people lack insurance, good for 9th in the area.

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Source: Wikipedia User Jelson25 | CC BY-SA 3.0

$165,576 median income · $1,516,154 median home price

Located in King County, Washington

Median income +69% vs WA

$165,576

WA $98k

Median home value +152% vs WA

$1,516,154

WA $601k

Unemployment -18% vs WA

4.2%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -27% vs WA

7.2%

WA 9.9%

Is ‘Everything Better In Bellevue?’

Almost.

It placed 9th on our list thanks to the fact that it’s really expensive to live here, but the schools are great, so you get what you pay for in that regard.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers

Source: Wikipedia User Japs 88 | CC BY-SA 3.0

$160,278 median income · $1,424,187 median home price

Located in King County, Washington

Median income +63% vs WA

$160,278

WA $98k

Median home value +137% vs WA

$1,424,187

WA $601k

Unemployment +10% vs WA

5.6%

WA 5.1%

Poverty rate -40% vs WA

5.9%

WA 9.9%

And rounding out the top ten for 2026 is Newcastle.

This city is far above average in every category, and the best part? It’s far more affordable than the other cities listed above. So, you get a big bang for your buck here.

Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers