Signals
Elk Plain
Tacoma
Opportunity
43 · Bottom 23%
vs47 · Bottom 31%
Climate
74 · Top 35%
vs74 · Top 35%
Physical resilience
33 · Bottom 25%
vs33 · Bottom 26%
Housing affordability
70 · Bottom 33%
vs62 · Bottom 23%
Access
83 · Bottom 26%
vs91 · Bottom 47%
Economic stability
65 · Top 39%
vs61 · Top 49%
Measured values
| Metric | Elk Plain | Tacoma | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,276 | 222,758 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $107,313 | $85,884 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,898 | $45,650 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,704/sq mi | 4,480/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $473,500 | $479,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,172 | $1,676 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 84.2% | 55.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.3% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.3% | -1.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.5% | 34.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 12.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 76°F | 76°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 36°F | 36°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.0" | 42.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 28 mi | 15 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 38.6 min | 30.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.0 | 37.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Elk Plain
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Tacoma
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Elk Plain, WA · Tacoma, WA · How this is calculated: methodology