How long is the commute from Tacoma, WA?
Workers who live in Tacoma, WA take an average of 28.8 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
66.0% of workers drive alone to work.
3.9% take public transportation.
2.7% of workers walk to work.
15.7% work from home.
8.8% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 28.8 minutes (±0.7)
- Public transportation
- 3.9%
- Work from home
- 15.7%
- Households without a car
- 8.8%
How people in Tacoma get to work
| Means of transportation | Tacoma | Pierce County | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 66.0% (±1.5 points) | 70.7% | 63.4% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 9.9% (±0.9 points) | 9.7% | 8.5% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 3.9% (±0.6 points) | 2.1% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 2.7% (±0.5 points) | 2.2% | 3.0% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 1.7% (±0.4 points) | 1.3% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 15.7% (±1.0 points) | 13.9% | 19.8% | 15.1% |
In Tacoma, the average commute is lower than in Pierce County (31.3 minutes).
It is also higher than in Washington (26.6 minutes).
It is higher than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Tacoma, the share commuting by public transportation is higher than in Pierce County (2.1%).
It is not measurably different from Washington (3.4%).
It is higher than the national figure (3.2%).
In Pierce County, Tacoma ranks 44 of 59 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 186 of 470.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Tacoma
| Vehicles available | Tacoma | Pierce County | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 8.8% (±0.8 points) | 5.4% | 7.1% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 34.5% (±1.2 points) | 27.2% | 30.5% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 34.4% (±1.3 points) | 38.9% | 36.3% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 22.3% (±1.0 points) | 28.5% | 26.1% | 21.9% |
In Tacoma, the share of households without a vehicle is higher than in Pierce County (5.4%).
It is also higher than in Washington (7.1%).
It is not measurably different from the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Tacoma
| Tacoma | Pierce County | Washington | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 15.7% (±1.0 points) | 13.9% (±0.5 points) | 19.8% (±0.2 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 96.5% (±0.6 points) | 97.3% (±0.3 points) | 97.1% (±0.1 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 92.8% (±0.7 points) | 94.6% (±0.3 points) | 93.6% (±0.1 points) | 91.0% |
In Tacoma, the share of households with a broadband subscription is lower than in Pierce County (94.6%).
It is also lower than in Washington (93.6%).
It is higher than the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Tacoma
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma | — | 28.8 minutes (±0.7) | — |
| Fircrest | 3.0 mi | 23.3 minutes (±3.8) | Lower |
| Ruston | 4.0 mi | 34.2 minutes (±7.5) | Not measurably different |
| University Place | 4.8 mi | 28.0 minutes (±1.7) | Not measurably different |
| Fife | 5.3 mi | 26.9 minutes (±1.9) | Not measurably different |
| Fife Heights | 5.4 mi | 25.2 minutes (±2.3) | Lower |
| Waller | 5.4 mi | 31.5 minutes (±2.8) | Not measurably different |
| Midland | 5.9 mi | 32.6 minutes (±3.4) | Higher |
| Wollochet | 5.9 mi | 24.8 minutes (±3.1) | Lower |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Fircrest, WA (23.3 minutes), Fife Heights, WA (25.2 minutes), Wollochet, WA (24.8 minutes).
Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Midland, WA (32.6 minutes).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across Pierce County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Milton | 30.3 minutes (±3.0) |
| 39 | Sumner | 29.6 minutes (±2.7) |
| 40 | Artondale | 29.4 minutes (±2.3) |
| 41 (tie) | Lakewood | 29.3 minutes (±1.9) |
| 41 (tie) | Summit View | 29.3 minutes (±3.5) |
| 43 | McMillin | 29.1 minutes (±4.4) |
| 44 | Tacoma | 28.8 minutes (±0.7) |
| 45 | Wauna | 28.7 minutes (±2.9) |
| 46 | Edgewood | 28.3 minutes (±1.7) |
| 47 | University Place | 28.0 minutes (±1.7) |
| 48 | Steilacoom | 27.6 minutes (±3.4) |
| 49 | Fife | 26.9 minutes (±1.9) |
| 50 | Summit | 25.7 minutes (±2.2) |
Showing 13 of 59 places in Pierce County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Tacoma
How long is the average commute in Tacoma?
Workers who live in Tacoma, WA take an average of 28.8 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Tacoma without a car?
8.8% of households in Tacoma have no vehicle, and 3.9% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Tacoma?
15.7% (±1.0 points) of workers who live in Tacoma worked from home, and 92.8% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Tacoma city, Washington
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Tacoma city, Washington
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Tacoma city, Washington
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Tacoma city, Washington (place:70000, in state:53).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
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- How long people stay in Tacoma
- Crowding and facilities in Tacoma
- Washington landlord and tenant rules
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