Signals
White Center
Tacoma
Opportunity
44 · Bottom 24%
vs47 · Bottom 31%
Climate
74 · Top 35%
vs74 · Top 35%
Physical resilience
41 · Bottom 31%
vs33 · Bottom 26%
Housing affordability
55 · Bottom 15%
vs62 · Bottom 23%
Access
95 · Top 40%
vs91 · Bottom 47%
Economic stability
62 · Top 45%
vs61 · Top 49%
Measured values
| Metric | White Center | Tacoma | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,886 | 222,758 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $87,189 | $85,884 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,346 | $45,650 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 6,543/sq mi | 4,480/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $645,200 | $479,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,595 | $1,676 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 55.5% | 55.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.6% | -1.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.9% | 34.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.5% | 12.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 77°F | 76°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 37°F | 36°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 36.5" | 42.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 3 mi | 15 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 32.9 min | 30.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.6 | 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
White Center
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Tacoma
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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White Center
62
Your Score
—
Area Score
Tacoma
63
Your Score
57
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: White Center, WA · Tacoma, WA · How this is calculated: methodology