Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Tumwater, WA

    Is Tumwater a good place to live?

    Watch Tumwater

    Tumwater ranks #4 of 51 Washington cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (76/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 3.5% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $438,000
    +3.8% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,654
    per month
    Household income
    $93,635
    median
    Unemployment
    5.0%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Tumwater

    The median home value in Tumwater is $438,000 and median rent is $1,654 a month, against a median household income of $93,635. Homes cost about 4.7× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Tumwater crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Washington the 2025 rate was 292 violent and 2,017 property crimes per 100,000 people — #8 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Tumwater, WA

    Tumwater has about 26,519 residents, 5.0% unemployment and 26% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Tumwater with

    Tumwater vs SeattleTumwater vs SpokaneTumwater vs TacomaTumwater vs VancouverTumwater vs BellevueTumwater vs KentTumwater vs EverettTumwater vs Spokane Valley

    More: Where to move in Washington · Best counties in Washington

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report