A new ranking is highlighting the most desirable places to live in Pierce County right now, with one Tacoma neighborhood taking the top spot.
The list, compiled by Niche, ranks communities based on factors like schools, cost of living, crime, jobs, and overall livability.
Top 5 Places To Live In Pierce County (2026):
- #1 North End (Tacoma): A
- #2 Fircrest: A-
- #3 DuPont: A-
- #4 University Place : A-
- #5 Gig Harbor: A-
Top Spots To Know
No. 1 – North End (Tacoma)
North End leads the list with an A overall grade and ranks as the best neighborhood to live in Tacoma. It stands out for lifestyle, earning an A+ for nightlife, A+ for health and fitness, A+ for outdoor activities, and an A- for commute.
It also received a B+ for families, B+ for jobs, and B+ for diversity. Housing (C) and cost of living (C-) were weaker spots. Median home value is about $737,857, with a median household income of $135,946.
No. 2 – Fircrest
Fircrest earned an A- overall grade and ranks among the top places to live in the county. It scored well for families (A-), diversity (A-), nightlife (A), health and fitness (A+), and outdoor activities (A+).
Public schools received a B grade, while housing (C) and cost of living (C) pulled scores down slightly. Median home value is about $583,500, with median household income around $113,000.
No. 3 – DuPont
DuPont is ranked the best place to raise a family in Pierce County and holds an A- overall grade. It earned an A for families, A for diversity, and A- for public schools and outdoor activities.
It also received a B+ for health and fitness and B grades for jobs and commute. Housing (C+) and cost of living (C-) were lower marks. Median home value is about $583,600, with median household income around $120,781.
No. 4 – University Place
University Place earned an A- overall grade and stands out for education, receiving an A for public schools. It also scored an A for diversity, A for health and fitness, A for outdoor activities, and an A for commute.
It received A- grades for nightlife and families. Housing (C-) and cost of living (C-) were again weaker areas. Median home value is about $624,800, with median household income around $99,031.
No. 5 – Gig Harbor
Gig Harbor rounds out the list with an A- overall grade and strong marks for lifestyle. It received A grades for health and fitness and outdoor activities, along with A- grades for nightlife and family-friendliness.
Public schools scored a B+, while jobs earned a B. Housing (C-) and cost of living (C-) were among the lower grades. Median home value is about $767,100, with median household income around $118,395.
What Stands Out
Lifestyle drives the rankings. All five areas scored high in categories like outdoor activities, health, and nightlife, showing how much quality of life factors into these rankings.
Housing costs remain a challenge. Every top-ranked location received a C-range grade for housing and cost of living, reflecting the ongoing affordability pressures across the region.
Families have strong options. Several communities, especially DuPont and University Place, scored highly for families and schools, making them stand out for long-term living.
The Bottom Line
There’s no single “best” place to live in Pierce County — it depends on what you value. North End offers energy and access to city life, while DuPont and University Place stand out for families. Fircrest and Gig Harbor provide a quieter suburban feel with strong amenities.
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