Real Estate Investing in Puyallup, Washington (98372)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98372 (Puyallup, WA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Puyallup, WA (98372)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98372 Puyallup
This part of Pierce County is not an easy win. The 98372 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $629K asset, 98372 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Within WA, ZIP 98372 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Pierce County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.
Who lives in 98372 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Strategy in 98372 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $629K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Puyallup:
Property Strategy for 98372
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $315,753 | $1,700 | 3.9% | +4.2% | $315,753 |
| 2BR | $400,163 | $2,090 | 3.8% | +4.9% | $200,081 |
| 3BR | $600,093 | $2,900 | 3.5% | +6.0% | $200,031 |
| 4BR | $734,217 | $3,290 | 3.2% | +6.1% | $183,554 |
| 5BR | $801,605 | — | — | +6.4% | $160,321 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98372 Compare?
| Metric | 98372 | Puyallup | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $628,693 | $593,658 | N/A | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.9% | 2.6% | N/A | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $2,120 | $2,257 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% | 3.0% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 98372 (Puyallup, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $628,693 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,120 |
| Price-to-Rent | 24.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.1% |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.4% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +2.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.0% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 98372
Population: 26,662
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 98372
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Meeker Elementary
Bonney Lake Elementary
Crestwood Elementary
Karshner Elementary
Liberty Ridge Elementary
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 8,061 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do home values compare in Puyallup, WA?
In Puyallup, WA the median home value sits at $629K. Against the broader WA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
What are vacancy rates like in Puyallup, WA?
Puyallup, WA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader WA rental market.
What is the best play in Puyallup, WA?
For Puyallup, WA, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
Does Puyallup, WA favor landlords or tenants?
Puyallup, WA operates under WA law, which is tenant-protective overall for landlords. Expect predictable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
What is the renter demographic in Puyallup, WA?
Puyallup, WA offers a steady renter base at the $2,120/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
You know 98372 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98372 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 98372 ranks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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