Tumwater 84 Exceptional
Tumwater Livability #40 ranked city in Washington#729 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Tumwater

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in Tumwater?

Located in the state of Washington, Tumwater is a moderately-sized city with a population of 24,235 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Tumwater is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Tumwater offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Tumwater, Washington. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Tumwater and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Washington and national averages.

Tumwater has a livability score of 84 out of 100 and is ranked #43 in Washington and #647 in the USA. Based on this score, Tumwater would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Tumwater also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Tumwater has higher than average grades for the following: education (A-), employment (A-) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Tumwater, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (D).

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Tumwater has a violent crime rate of 196 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Tumwater can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Tumwater is real estate affordability. The median home price for Tumwater homes is $577,793, which is 17.5% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Tumwater, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5, which is 7.4% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Tumwater

See all the best places to live around Tumwater

How Do You Rate The Livability In Tumwater?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Tumwater, WA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Tumwater transportation information

      Statistic Tumwater Washington National
      Average one way commute20min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.9%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.7%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.1%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.6%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home9.7%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Tumwater, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.