Real Estate Investing in Tacoma, Washington (98444)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 98444 (Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA (98444)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 98444 Tacoma
The 98444 ZIP in Tacoma, WA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $448K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 98444 stands at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Within WA, ZIP 98444 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Pierce submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.
Who lives in 98444 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. significant returns are possible in 98444, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Tacoma:
Property Strategy for 98444
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $317,482 | $1,510 | 3.4% | +3.4% | $317,482 |
| 2BR | $365,442 | $1,860 | 3.7% | +5.3% | $182,721 |
| 3BR | $438,674 | $2,600 | 4.3% | +5.6% | $146,225 |
| 4BR | $500,952 | $2,970 | 4.3% | +6.0% | $125,238 |
| 5BR | $550,152 | — | — | +6.3% | $110,030 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 98444 Compare?
| Metric | 98444 | Tacoma | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $448,165 | $233,270 | $591,536 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.2% | 2.0% | 5.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,512 | $1,844 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% | 2.8% | - |
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 98444 (Tacoma, WA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Pierce County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Harborside Property Management LLC offers commercial and residential property manager services in Tacoma & Gig Harbor, including single-family and multi-family homes. summary from their website
Haven Property Management is a full-service residential management company based in Federal Way, WA, covering the Greater Puget Sound area. summary from their website
HOA Community Solutions provides management services for homeowner associations. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $448,165 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,512 |
| Price-to-Rent | 24.7:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.1% |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 4.8% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.2% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -5.2% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +0.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +1.4% ▲ |
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 98444
Population: 35,660
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 98444
Schools in This ZIP Code
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 7,576 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home value in Tacoma, WA?
Homes in Tacoma, WA typically sell near $448K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.
How strong is tenant demand in Tacoma, WA?
Tacoma, WA offers a predictable renter base at the $1,512/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.
How landlord-friendly is Tacoma, WA?
Rental owners in Tacoma, WA deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.
How does Tacoma, WA stack up for property investment?
Our data puts Tacoma, WA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $448K and rents around $1,512/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
Where do rents currently stand in Tacoma, WA?
Average rent in Tacoma, WA is approximately $1,512/mo per month. Against $448K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
You know 98444 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 98444 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.
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