The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 98409 sells for about $419,000, or $338 per square foot.
Prices are roughly flat from a year ago (-1%), a market in balance. Homes take about 38 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,641 a month.
ZIP 98409 — Tacoma
The 98409 housing market is currently experiencing a period of recalibration, with median prices holding steady near $419,000 despite broader regional cooling. While inventory remains tight, the market is supported by consistent demand for affordable entry-level housing, though high management intensity and tenant-protective regulations continue to influence investor sentiment.
This ZIP is well-suited for first-time homebuyers, commuters seeking proximity to major highways, and investors who are prepared for the management intensity of a tenant-protective jurisdiction.
Median prices moved down 1.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 38 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.8% · poverty 14.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 98409, Pierce County WA
Crime rates in the 98409 area are generally higher than the national average, reflecting urban challenges common to the broader Tacoma region.
Schools serving the 98409 area are part of the Tacoma Public Schools district, with performance ratings varying significantly across individual campuses.
The area faces standard Pacific Northwest risks, including potential for windstorms and localized flooding in low-lying areas, with insurance premiums reflecting regional seismic and weather exposure.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to Tacoma's industrial and logistics hubs, with ongoing infill development and new construction projects adding to the local housing stock.
Property taxes are assessed by Pierce County based on local millage rates, which include levies for schools, city services, and special utility districts.
Residents benefit from direct access to Interstate 5 and State Route 16, providing efficient transit corridors to downtown Tacoma and employment centers in the South Sound.
The area features access to local parks such as Wapato Park, which offers trails and lakefront amenities, alongside proximity to shopping and dining districts along the South Tacoma Way corridor.
The rental market is characterized by high demand and moderate vacancy pressure, with a significant presence of individual investors and a regulatory environment that is highly protective of tenants.
The local economy is anchored by logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors, with significant employment opportunities provided by the nearby Port of Tacoma and regional medical centers.
The area is served by Pierce Transit bus routes and provides convenient access to the Sounder commuter rail via nearby stations in Tacoma.
Development planning focuses on transit-oriented growth and the revitalization of the South Tacoma Way commercial corridor.
The Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer manages property valuations, with assessments conducted annually to reflect market value changes.
Parcels are subject to various special districts, including Tacoma Public Schools, Pierce County fire districts, and local utility service areas.
Property insurance markets in the region are stable but sensitive to wildfire and seismic risk factors, leading to moderate premium adjustments.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Wild Waves Theme and Water Park3.99.2 mi
- Round1 Bowling & Arcade - Puyallup3.88.9 mi
- Dave & Buster's3.912.9 mi
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park4.23.9 mi
- Chuck E. Cheese417.4 mi
- Washington State Fair Event Center4.38.7 mi
- Tacoma Dome4.13.4 mi
- Wild Waves Theme and Water Park3.99.2 mi
- White River Amphitheatre4.117.4 mi
- accesso ShoWare Center4.517 mi
- Washington State Fair Event Center4.38.7 mi
- Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium4.57.4 mi
- Chambers Bay Golf Course4.74.4 mi
- Point Defiance Park4.77.6 mi
- Dash Point State Park4.58.4 mi
- Museum of Glass4.53.6 mi
- LeMay - America’s Car Museum4.73.2 mi
- Children's Museum of Tacoma4.63.8 mi
- Tacoma Art Museum4.63.7 mi
- Washington State History Museum4.63.6 mi
- Chambers Bay Golf Course4.74.4 mi
- Point Defiance Park4.77.6 mi
- Dash Point State Park4.58.4 mi
- Sprinker Recreation Center4.55.8 mi
- Point Ruston4.76.8 mi
- Tacoma Yacht Club4.77.4 mi
- Point Defiance Marina4.77.5 mi
- Foss Harbor Marina4.64.2 mi
- Tyee Marina4.17.1 mi
- Russell Landing4.57.2 mi
- Chambers Bay Golf Course4.74.4 mi
- The Home Course4.611 mi
- Meadow Park Golf Course4.51.6 mi
- High Cedars Golf Club4.112.7 mi
- Eagle's Pride Golf Course & Simulator412.1 mi
- Tacoma Mall4.11.1 mi
- The Outlet Collection Seattle4.212.8 mi
- South Hill Mall4.19.1 mi
- WinCo Foods4.31 mi
- Metropolitan Market Tacoma4.64.7 mi
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) Parking Garage3.418.7 mi
- King County International Airport - Boeing Field4.524.5 mi
- Kenmore Air - Lake Union4.630.2 mi
- The Club SEA2.718.3 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A large public park featuring a lake, walking trails, and recreational facilities.
A historic commercial corridor with a variety of local businesses, restaurants, and services.
Deterministic aggregate of 1 researched property in this ZIP (latest reading each) — each property weighs one; per point, properties lacking the value are excluded. Property-level records (taxes, scores, permits) never roll individually.
No county-record distress flags across 1 researched property on the ARED base layer. Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the researched-property base layer (within 12.5%).