It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic College Park National Historic District gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Tacoma, WA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“It takes some of the burden off of me. When I need schedule changes, such as today with an early morning doctor's appointment, they easily change the schedule when we need. I already have. I like that they come and check and find out what our goals are, as well as working with the provider that comes to our home. They are well coordinated.”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Titlow Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Melting Pot - Tacoma or visit Port of Tacoma Observation Tower, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Tacoma, WA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Tacoma, WA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Tacoma, WA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
As streams of children bounded out of Washington Elementary School in Tacoma’s North End on Tuesday, “Miss Peggy” was there to greet them in the cross walk.For 29 years, 68-year-old Peggy Tonnema has spread joy to kids and parents as the school’s vibrant and beloved crossing guard. On Tuesday, she was dressed as Wonder Woman with a long pink wig, red cape, bejeweled pink glasses, glittery blue skirt and hand-puppet gloves as she...
As streams of children bounded out of Washington Elementary School in Tacoma’s North End on Tuesday, “Miss Peggy” was there to greet them in the cross walk.
For 29 years, 68-year-old Peggy Tonnema has spread joy to kids and parents as the school’s vibrant and beloved crossing guard. On Tuesday, she was dressed as Wonder Woman with a long pink wig, red cape, bejeweled pink glasses, glittery blue skirt and hand-puppet gloves as she waved a neon flag and cooed at families crossing the street.
Rain or shine, Tonnema always wears wacky and bright outfits when she, twice a day, guides families across the busy intersection. A visit to her costume closet in the school reveals a floor-to-ceiling collection of bright wigs, funny hats, patterned shirts, accessories, boas, gloves, glasses and Halloween costumes. The outfits were donated to her over the decades by parents, students and complete strangers who recognized her on the street.
As she stood in the middle of the road Tuesday afternoon, cars slowed to call out to her from their windows. Tonnema said some of the drivers were former students she’d watched grow up and bring their own kids to school. She screams at cars that speed past. She calls out to kids and parents by name, teasing them with her bird hand puppets and reminding them of the late start the following day.
Tonnema won’t be a crossing guard next school year. Although she works about an hour and a half a day (she also doubles as a school nurse), Tonnema was one of 114 paraeducators who were told their positions would be eliminated in the 2025-2026 school year as the Tacoma Public School District faces a $30 million deficit. Tacoma Public Schools has cited rising costs and insufficient funding from the state as reasons for the cuts.
Although she was offered a chance to reapply for her job as an hourly employee, Tonnema said she won’t, to stand with the other paraeducators who are being laid off.
“It’s not right,” she said. “I could stay, but I can’t. And that makes me sad.”
The decision comes with immense grief, for both Tonnema and families who have seen her as a community fixture of joy and support over the years.
Tonnema said her outfits have grown more complex over time.
She started wearing bright colors, like a bright yellow cap. Then she found some antennae, and the kids begged her to put them all on at once. People began gifting her more items to add to her collection. A “We Love Miss Peggy” Facebook page documents many of her outfits, which included recent themes for Cinco De Mayo, a Star Wars-themed May the Fourth, May Day, Earth Day and Wacky Wednesday. Tonnema said the kids have a “Miss Peggy” dress-up day now.
When asked how it would feel to hang up her hat, Tonnema said, “devastated.”
According to her termination notice, which she shared with The News Tribune, she was told on May 8 “there would be a change in [her] current position” and her assignment as a 0.2 full-time employee crossing guard “will conclude at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.”
“Your last authorized workday in this assignment will be Friday, June 20, 2025. After this date, you will be considered displaced and subject to reassignment in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the District and the Tacoma Federation of Education Support Professionals Local 461. Your reassignment for the 2025–2026 school year will be contingent on your ability to qualify for, interview and be selected for an available position,” said HR director Steven Deaderick. “Please know that this displacement decision is not a reflection of your work or contributions. We deeply appreciate your commitment to Tacoma Public Schools and your support of Every Student, Every Day. Your efforts have made a meaningful impact on our students’ success.”
On Tuesday Tonnema said she wanted to dress as Wonder Woman “because I wanted to stand for truth, justice and the American way.”
“Our country is based on our children. Our children are going to move away. We have to educate them. We have to teach them properly. And to do that, we have to have staff,” she said. “The paraeducators are right there on the ground floor making sure that kids get the extra care that they need — and there’s plenty of them that need that.”
When her now 34-year-old son attended Washington Elementary in 1996, Tonnema said, every kindergarten had a full-time paraeducator in the classroom. She has been involved in the Parent Teacher Association for decades and has seen cuts to school nurses, librarians, music and art.
“We just keep being outraged and quiet. That’s over. I can’t do it. I can’t. They have to let the city know, let the mayor know, let the whole education [system know],” she said. “It’s time to raise a ruckus. That’s what I’m going to do.”
In February when Tonnema’s car was stolen, the community raised more than $10,000 on GoFundMe to help her replace it. Behind a pane of glass in a school cabinet are awards Tonnema has received, like the Safe Kids Child Injury Prevention Award in 2018 and the Traffic Safety Superstars Award in 2006. On the wall by her costume closet are thousands of photographs of Tonnema and kids she’s helped over the years, in addition to Christmas cards and other messages from families.
“She’s a pillar in the community. It would be very different without her,” said Annie Lindgren, who was walking her first grader and infant across the street Tuesday. “We turn the corner and we are very excited to see what she’s wearing every day. She makes everyone smile and feel important. She knows all the kid’s names, she knows the siblings’ names.”
Lindgren said she lives about six blocks away from the school and thought the district’s decision to cut Tonnema’s position was “terrible.”
“We need to figure out a way to keep positions like that for the kids,” she said. “It’s not just keeping us safe, but I think all the paras and everything are really important for our kids and the teachers.”
Parent Will Brown said Tonnema is “way more than a crossing guard,” going out of her way to help support kids and hand them fun things like Monkeyshines.
“The last place we need to be cutting anything from is education,” Brown said. “It’s like, the most obvious investment you can do [for] the future.”
Uniquely is a series from The News Tribune that covers the moments, landmarks and personalities that define what makes living in Pierce County so special.
Miss Peggy has worked at Washington Elementary School for nearly 30 years. At least 114 educational support professionals are being impacted by district budget cuts.TACOMA, Wash. — In Tacoma, frustration is growing as parents and teachers learn just how deep district budget cuts will go.Tacoma Public Schools is facing a $30 million budget shortfall, which is now leading to cuts of school staff positions.Among those impacted, is a ...
Miss Peggy has worked at Washington Elementary School for nearly 30 years. At least 114 educational support professionals are being impacted by district budget cuts.
TACOMA, Wash. — In Tacoma, frustration is growing as parents and teachers learn just how deep district budget cuts will go.
Tacoma Public Schools is facing a $30 million budget shortfall, which is now leading to cuts of school staff positions.
Among those impacted, is a school crossing guard who's become a fixture in her community for decades.
"This is my family, my heart, it’s everything,” said Peggy Tonnema, most commonly known as Miss Peggy.
Miss Peggy has worked for nearly 30 years as a crossing guard and health clerk for Washington Elementary School in Tacoma’s North End.
She is known for always wearing bright colors and festive outfits, always easy to spot as she brings kids safely across the crosswalk.
“I’m here forever because I love my community and my community loves me,” said Miss Peggy.
But she recently found out forever is getting cut short.
"I recently got an email that said that they appreciate my work I've done for the district, but I'm let go,” said Miss Peggy. “And if anything comes up I am qualified for, I can go ahead and apply for it."
According to the Tacoma Federation of Education Support Professionals, Miss Peggy is one of at least 114 educational support professionals being impacted by district budget cuts, either having their jobs eliminated or hours cut back.
These positions include pull out academic support staff, building support staff, crossing guards, and other positions that the union said all work directly to give support to students.
Miss Peggy is devastated by the news that she is getting laid off but is more concerned by the other staff members being cut and the impacts it will have to students and teachers.
“I mean, come on,” said Miss Peggy. “There's not any place else that we can take a little cut of the budget? Is there anybody that's not quite as important to the actual students? Because we're worried about the students here. They're our kids, they're our future.”
Several parents contacted KING 5 concerned about the cuts, and multiple specifically concerned about the loss of Miss Peggy.
“She's an icon, I don't know how we do this school without her,” said Jennifer Strus, the Washington Elementary School PTA president.
Strus has two kids at Washington Elementary.
“My fifth grader even said to me, ‘What do you mean, Miss Peggy isn’t going to be here? Who's going to get the kids across the street?'” said Strus.
She and other parents said they know finances need to be adjusted, but are frustrated with the choices being made.
“Lopping off the people that are here to help our kids on the ground level is not the answer,” said Strus.
As Miss Peggy is still trying to accept the loss of her job, she wants the district to reevaluate the cuts.
“The teachers need paraeducators to help in every aspect of the school day, and to even think that they are dispensable, disposable? Well, it's not true,” she said.
The district said in a statement that salaries make up a bulk of the budget.
“We have made spending cuts in other areas, but because salaries are the majority of our budget, we have no other choice but to reduce positions," the statement reads. "The cuts are not a reflection of the incredible work our team does every day for students. These cuts are to get us to a healthier financial position.”
Kari Madden, the president of the Tacoma Federation of Education Support Professionals, said there must be other areas to cut.
“While we do understand that the district is in a financial crisis and at least some of that is due to the state not funding education adequately, I do not feel this is the whole reason," Madden said. "I would like to see a lot more transparency with the district in why there is a $30 million shortfall, and what other cuts they have made to the top and other areas before deciding to make cuts to our lowest paid employees who provide the most support for students. I feel there are other more creative measures the district should look at before making cuts that will directly impact our most vulnerable students.”
The union represents hundreds of paraeducators, LPNs, therapy assistants, interpreters, and other staff members in Tacoma Public Schools.
The district would not confirm at this time exactly how many support staff and teachers could be impacted by the cuts.
KING 5 learned last month that around 100 first and second year teachers had been told their contracts for next school year were being reviewed and that they would be notified by May 15 if their positions were being renewed or not.
Two cities in Washington state ranked among the "50 Cheapest Places to Retire Across America," according to a recent study by GOBankingRates, a personal finance publication.Spokane in Eastern Washington is the third-cheapest city for retirees in the United States, according to the study. Tacoma in Western Washington ranks as the 33rd most affordable city for retirement....
Two cities in Washington state ranked among the "50 Cheapest Places to Retire Across America," according to a recent study by GOBankingRates, a personal finance publication.
Spokane in Eastern Washington is the third-cheapest city for retirees in the United States, according to the study. Tacoma in Western Washington ranks as the 33rd most affordable city for retirement.
GOBankingRates stated that the rankings were based on an analysis of the 100 largest cities in the U.S. where seniors comprised at least 10% of the population. The study factored in the yearly retirement income needed to cover living costs such as housing, health care, food, transportation and energy.
"Most people retire on a limited budget, which means seeking new places to live where you can stretch your money further," according to the report.
Here's more on the rankings and why these Washington locations ranked among the most affordable places in the U.S. to retire.
Monthly expenses in Spokane averaged at $1,711, and its population of people 65 and older was 16.4%, according to the study.
The city was also assigned a "livability" score of 81, one of the highest in the study, partly based on data shared by AreaVibes.
AreaVibes gives Spokane high marks for its cost of living, "shorter than average" commutes, and access to health care and hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors' offices.
"The arts and culture scene in Spokane is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries," according to AreaVibes. "The Fox Theater and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Spokane provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home."
The median price of a home in Spokane County, which includes Spokane, was $437,300 in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a report from the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington.
The study calculated Tacoma's average monthly expenses at $1,819. Its population of people 65 and older stands at 14.6%.
With a livability score of 78, AreaVibes noted that Tacoma's proximity to Seattle and Olympia contributes to its place as a "cultural and economic hub" in the region.
"Prestigious institutions like the University of Washington Tacoma contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community," according to AreaVibes. "The arts and culture scene in Tacoma is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries."
Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County, where the median price of a home was $571,800 in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to theWashington Center for Real Estate Research report.
Contributing: Carly Sauvageau and Ginnie Sandoval, USA TODAY Network.
Type at least three characters to start auto complete. Recently searched locations will be displayed if there is no search query. The first option will be automatically selected. Use up and down arrows to change selection. Use escape to clear.Search City or Zip CodeTacoma, WA55°CloudyDay 61° • Night 44°...
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55°
Cloudy
Day 61° • Night 44°
Watch: When The Sky Gets Weird
Feels Like53°
5:34 am
8:38 pm
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Dew Point
45°
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UV Index
2 of 11
Visibility
9 mi
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous
Rain ending around 11:45 AM.
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