Puyallup, WA | The (2023) ULTIMATE LIving In & Moving to Puyallup Guide (2023)

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Situated between Seattle and Tacoma, Puyallup, Washington is a medium-sized city known for its beautiful parks and glacier rivers. Those living in Puyallup get to enjoy the close proximity to two large cities and all the benefits of suburban life. Puyallup has a wide variety of families and young, single adults living here.

If you’re moving to Puyallup, you’ll be in good company. Every year, the largest event in Washington is held right in Puyallup–the Washington State Fair! People come to visit from all over, and there’s a reason it’s held in Puyallup. This city certainly can’t be beaten. From the stable schools to gorgeous neighborhoods, what more could you ask for? Keep reading for the ultimate guide as to why you might want to call Puyallup your home.

1. Puyallup Demographics & Population

Table of Contents

With a population of 39,637 and a median age of 38.3, there are many young families and single adults in the area that are looking for suburban life. 75.6% is White, 7.86% Hispanic or Latino, and 6.55% that are two or more races. The poverty rate in Puyallup is a mere 10%, which is below the national average. If you’re living in Puyallup, you can expect friendly neighbors and city dwellers.

2. Cost of Living in Puyallup

When considering moving to Puyallup, “how much does it cost to live in Puyallup” is something you may ask. You want to know that your money is going to be well spent, and considering Washington can be a fairly expensive state to live in, your average prices are important. Thankfully, Puyallup is fairly affordable for being a city so close to two large city-hubs.

The average home price is $278,900, and over 50% of people own their homes. Home prices are expected to rise in the next few years, so now is a great time to look for Puyallup, WA homes.

If you’re not looking to buy, there are plenty of apartments or rental homes available. You can rent a one-bedroom for about $1,300 or a three-bedroom for about $1,900 according to Numbeo. For more numbers, look at our list below:

Puyallup Cost of Living Numbers

  • Meal at a fast food restaurant in Puyallup: $8.25
  • Meal at a sit-down restaurant: $15.00
  • A gallon of milk in Puyallup: $3.19
  • A dozen eggs: $2.90
  • A pound of chicken: $3.98

3. Best Puyallup Neighborhoods

Cities are great, but the real thing that interests us all are the neighborhoods in the city. What are Puyallup neighborhoods like? Well, you’re in for a treat. There are urban-style neighborhoods and suburb-style neighborhoods, so you’ll have your pick. Some of the best Puyallup neighborhoods include Southill and downtown Puyallup.

About 1,100 people live in downtown Puyallup and another 4,420 live in Southill, so they are some of the largest Puyallup neighborhoods. Of course, the neighborhoods are as unique as Puyallup itself. From fun urban living downtown to suburb living in high-end neighborhoods, it’s easy to find a spot that you enjoy.

The zipcodes in Puyallup are 98371, 98372, 98373, 98374, and 98375. Puyallup’s area code is 253.

4. Beautiful Puyallup, WA Weather

One of the best things about Puyallup is the mild weather. Throughout the summer, you can expect to feel sunshine on your face with a high of 78°F, which is perfect for being outdoors. In the winter, you’ll see some snow build up and experience highs of 46°F. You’ll have a true winter that is perfect for the holiday season! The average temperatures in Puyallup are cool year round.

Though Washington is often known for its rain, you don’t have to worry about it as much in Puyallup. Though it does rain over 15 days in January, in months like August, you’ll experience just three days of rain each year. The frequent rain keeps the air fresh and clean.

5. Things To Do & Restaurants in Puyallup

If you’re looking for things to do in Puyallup with kids, you’ve come to the right city. From the state fair to stunning parks and rivers, there’s always something to do. Check out some of the fun things to do in Puyallup below:

Washington State Fair

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The state fair is one of the best things to do in Puyallup with kids. With hundreds of rides and activities to choose from, you can’t miss out on this once a year event.

Washington State Fair, 110 9th Avenue SW, Puyallup, WA 98371

Bradley Lake Park

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A Stunning 59 acre park with a lake, this is one of the best family things to do in Puyallup. You can go on the walking trails, fish in the lake, or relax in the beautiful scenery.

Bradley Lake Park, 531 31st Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98374

Pioneer Park

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Right next to the public library and a few small shops lies Pioneer Park. This cute playground is a great spot for kids and a perfect thing to do when you want a breath of fresh air!

Pioneer Park, 300 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371

When you’ve finished with your fun activities in Puyallup, it’s time to grab a bite to eat. You can’t miss out on these restaurants:

Crockett’s Public House

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Crispy chicken, juicy burgers, and everything made from local ingredients? This is one Puyallup restaurant you have to try! It’s backed by over 2,000 positive reviews, so you know it’s good.

Crockett’s Public House, 118 E Stewart Ave, Puyallup, WA 98371

Toscano’s Italian Grill

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Italian classics that will make your mouth water, Toscano’s is a delicious restaurant that you and your family will love. With hundreds of positive reviews, it’s one of the top things to do in Puyallup.

Toscano’s Italian Grill, 437 29th St NE, Puyallup, WA 98372

6. Puyallup Job Opportunities

With 19,502 employees in the Puyallup area, there are plenty of jobs to choose from so you can have a modest commute of under 30 minutes. Many people work in sales, management, and administrative positions in Puyallup. There are plenty of other jobs as well, so if you’re looking for new employment, check out the current job openings in Puyallup.

Many people also work in Seattle or Tacoma since they are bigger cities that aren’t too far. These nearby cities offer plenty of job opportunities, and between the three cities, you’ll have so many options. Click on the link for directions if you need to travel from Puyallup to Seattle, which is 36 miles.

7. Best Puyallup Schools

The majority of elementary, middle, and high schools in Puyallup are rated above average, which is why many people are interested in moving to Puyallup. The school district is attentive and gives a good education. Families enjoy living in Puyallup with their children.

If you’re looking for higher education, there’s Pierce College – Puyallup, where many students study arts and sciences for a two-year or four-year degree.

Moving To Puyallup Tips:

  • Go to the state fair and enjoy delicious food at restaurants year-round
  • Choose from urban-style apartments or high-end suburban homes
  • Enroll your children in the above-average schools or get a quality education yourself
  • Work in Puyallup for a short commute or in Seattle or Tacoma for more opportunities
  • Puyallup’s affordability is perfect for young families

Living in Puyallup, WA may be the best decision you can make if you want affordable living, family-friendly homes, and fun things to do. When you’re ready to call this beautiful city home, moving is the last thing you want to think about. Give All Ready Moving a call to handle all of your moving needs.

FAQs

What is the best area to live in Puyallup WA? ›

There are urban-style neighborhoods and suburb-style neighborhoods, so you'll have your pick. Some of the best Puyallup neighborhoods include Southill and downtown Puyallup. About 1,100 people live in downtown Puyallup and another 4,420 live in Southill, so they are some of the largest Puyallup neighborhoods.

Is Puyallup a good city to live in? ›

Great town with not too many people. Many different shops, parks, and other historic type buildings/structures around. The schools are good and plenty of possibilities for young people to try.

What is it like living in Puyallup WA? ›

Puyallup is in Pierce County. Living in Puyallup offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Puyallup there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Puyallup and residents tend to lean conservative.

Is Puyallup expensive to live in? ›

Puyallup's housing expenses are 56% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 1% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 17% higher than the national average.

What is the friendliest community in Washington State? ›

That award goes to Sammamish, Washington! If you aren't exactly sure where Sammamish is, you're not alone. It's located in King County, east of Seattle. The little city is bordered by Lake Sammamish to the west and the Snoqualmie Valley to the east.

What is the fastest growing town in Washington State? ›

Study ranks Pasco, WA, among fastest-growing U.S. cities | Tri-City Herald.

How much is tax in Puyallup? ›

What is the sales tax rate in Puyallup, Washington? The minimum combined 2023 sales tax rate for Puyallup, Washington is 10%. This is the total of state, county and city sales tax rates. The Washington sales tax rate is currently 6.5%.

What is the violent crime rate in Puyallup? ›

With a crime rate of 70 per one thousand residents, Puyallup has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 14.

What is the use tax rate for Puyallup WA? ›

The 2023 sales tax rate in Puyallup is 10%, and consists of 6.5% Washington state sales tax and 3.5% Puyallup city tax.

What race is Puyallup demographics? ›

Table
Population
White alone, percent 78.4%
Black or African American alone, percent(a) 3.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) 0.6%
Asian alone, percent(a) 6.1%
57 more rows

What is Puyallup known for? ›

History. In its early years, Puyallup was known for its hops, berries and flowers. Today many events, such as the Washington State Fair, the Daffodil Festival and Parade, and the Puyallup Farmers Market pay tribute to the city's agricultural past.

What is the most expensive place to live in WA? ›

The priciest city in Washington is Seattle, where the cost of living is 36% higher compared to the state average and 54% higher than in the rest of the U.S. The cheapest major city in Washington is Moses Lake, with a cost of living 15% lower below the state average and 4% lower than the national average.

Where is it cheapest to live in Washington State? ›

Cheapest Places to Live in Washington State
  • Yakima. The cheapest place to live in Washington State is Yakima. ...
  • Moses Lake. Moses Lake is the second cheapest city to live in Washington State. ...
  • Kelso. Kelso is one of the cheapest cities to live in near the Washington-Oregon border. ...
  • Spokane. ...
  • Pasco. ...
  • Walla Walla. ...
  • Cheney. ...
  • Pullman.
Jan 3, 2023

Does it rain a lot in Puyallup Washington? ›

Puyallup experiences extreme seasonal variation in monthly rainfall. Rain falls throughout the year in Puyallup. The month with the most rain in Puyallup is November, with an average rainfall of 8.3 inches. The month with the least rain in Puyallup is July, with an average rainfall of 0.7 inches.

What is the most Republican county in Washington? ›

National level. In modern times, Lewis County is the most conservative county in western Washington. It is significantly more Republican than adjacent counties.

Where do most millionaires live in Washington state? ›

Richest Cities in Washington
RankCityCounty
1Yarrow PointKing County
2Clyde HillKing County
3MedinaKing County
4WoodwaySnohomish County
6 more rows

What is the happiest place in Washington state? ›

A new study has determined the happiest cities across the U.S. in 2022 — and one city in Washington made it near the top of the list. SmartAsset released “Where Americans Are Happiest – 2022 Study,” on Tuesday, Dec. 20. And Bellevue, which is about 10 miles east of Seattle, landed the No.

What is the most cowboy town in Washington state? ›

Winthrop Old West Themed Town

Winthrop is a tiny town on the east side of the North Cascades Highway. It is known for its Old West themed buildings and saloons.

What is the most hippie town in Washington state? ›

Bellingham Was On Consideration As Washington's Most "Hippie" Town. Bellingham was considered on their list because of its locality to the Canadian border but the website selected Olympia for one specific reason.

What is the most green city in Washington state? ›

1. Seattle. The Emerald City is one of the most environmentally conscious major cities in the world with a nearly ubiquitous use of hydroelectric power and is ranked first in the NRDC list of sustainable urban environments.

Are groceries taxed in Washington state? ›

Washington law exempts most grocery type food from retail sales tax. However, the law does not exempt “prepared food,” “soft drinks,” or “dietary supplements.” Businesses that sell these “foods” must collect sales tax. In addition, all alcoholic items are subject to retail sales tax.

What is the new car tax in Puyallup WA? ›

Puyallup sales tax: 10.2 percent.

What is the average property tax in Puyallup WA? ›

Taxes in Puyallup, Washington

Last year, the average property taxes paid was 1.2% Puyallup, Washington.

What city has the worst crime rate in us? ›

Here are the 15 most dangerous cities in the us.
  1. Detroit, Michigan. Detroit is one of Time Magazine's World's Greatest Places in 2022 under the Newfound Glory category. ...
  2. Monroe, Louisiana. ...
  3. Memphis, Tennessee. ...
  4. Springfield, Missouri. ...
  5. St Louis, Missouri. ...
  6. Albuquerque, New Mexico. ...
  7. Anchorage, Alaska. ...
  8. Rockford, Illinois.
Feb 20, 2023

What is the city with the highest crime rate in the US? ›

Memphis, Tennessee

The most dangerous city in the USA is Memphis, Tennessee. With a population of 628,127, Memphis has a crime rate that is 237% higher than the national average. Memphis has 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people, with an exceptionally high violent crime rate.

What city in the US has the least violent crime? ›

In its report, MoneyGeek also ranked the safest large cities in America with populations over 300,000. This year, Honolulu was named the safest large city, with the lowest per-capita crime cost in the country—$528.

How much is car tax in Washington state? ›

What is the motor vehicle sales/use tax? All retail sales, leases and transfers of motor vehicles are subject to the additional sales tax (or use tax) of three-tenths of one percent (0.3%).

Is Washington tax friendly? ›

Social Security income is not taxed. Withdrawals from retirement accounts are not taxed. Wages are taxed at normal rates, and your marginal state tax rate is 0.0%.

What are you taxed on in Washington? ›

No income tax in Washington state

Washington state does not have a personal or corporate income tax. However, people or businesses that engage in business in Washington are subject to business and occupation (B&O) and/or public utility tax.

What are people from Puyallup called? ›

Native Peoples

It was their hospitable spirit that gave this tribe the name "Puyallup" which translates to "generous people." The Puyallup Indians had permanent dwelling places along the bank of the broad and meandering Puyallup River, which was choked with massive log jams and prone to frequent floods.

What tribe is in Puyallup? ›

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians have lived along the shores of the Puget Sound in Washington State for thousands of years.

What is the highest ethnicity in Seattle? ›

Ethnic groups

White: 69.5% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 66.3%) Asian: 13.8% (4.1% Chinese, 2.6% Filipino, 2.2% Vietnamese, 1.3% Japanese, 1.1% Korean, 0.8% Indian, 0.3% Indonesian, 0.3% Cambodian, 0.3% Laotian, 0.2% Pakistanis, 0.2% Thai) Black or African American: 7.9% (including Somalis)

Why are so many people leaving Washington State? ›

Washington

Former Washington residents are finding refuge from the state's skyrocketing cost of living in places like Oregon and Idaho. Oregon's cost of living is 7% cheaper, while Idaho boasts the lowest cost of living among the western states.

What is a livable salary in Washington state? ›

As of Apr 8, 2023, the average annual pay for the Comfortable jobs category in Washington is $50,039 a year.

Why is Washington State not a good place to retire? ›

Why WA is poor for retirement. Aside from the three main categories, WalletHub found that Washington ranked 49th – the second worst – for annual cost of in-home services, beaten out only by Minnesota. The state is also fourth-worst for property crime rates.

What does Puyallup mean in English? ›

Laid out in 1877, it was named Puyallup, meaning “generous people” in the Puyallup language.

What language does Puyallup people speak? ›

Twulshootseed is the language spoken by tribes living around the Puget Sound area in Washington state. Learn about Twulshootseed.

Is Puyallup urban or rural? ›

Living in North Puyallup offers residents a suburban rural mix feel and most residents own their homes. In North Puyallup there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

What is the cheapest coastal town to live in Washington State? ›

Washington's most affordable oceanside towns are:

Copalis Beach. Grayland. Westport. Moclips.

What is considered wealthy in Washington? ›

D.C. residents say to be wealthy it takes $3 million, $1 million more than the national average, according to a Charles Schwab survey. Defining what it means to be wealthy is part perception, but the average answer from D.C.-area residents in a recent Charles Schwab survey is that it takes $3 million in assets.

Is Oregon or Washington more expensive? ›

There's a good reason for that. The capital of Washington and the Californian capital have a median higher cost of living and lower quality of work/life balance when compared to Portland, Oregon.

What is the best small town to live in Washington State? ›

The best town to live in Washington state is Snoqualmie because it has one of the lowest crime rates in the state. Other great small towns to live in Washington state are Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, and Vashon Island.

Where is the cheapest place for seniors to live in Washington State? ›

Centralia. Centralia is ideal for retirees who are looking for very affordable options. In fact, the housing in Centralia is 70 percent cheaper than the rest of Washington. The Historic Downtown District is the vibrant part of the city.

Where is the best place to retire in Washington State? ›

If Washington is sounding good to you, take a look at the following ten cities for your retirement in 2022.
  • Spokane. ...
  • Yakima. ...
  • Olympia. ...
  • Port Orchard. CITY POPULATION: 15,979. ...
  • Wenatchee. CITY POPULATION: 35,405. ...
  • Longview. CITY POPULATION: 37,824. ...
  • Port Townsend. CITY POPULATION: 10,306. ...
  • Sequim. CITY POPULATION: 8,241.

What is the rainiest town in Washington state? ›

Forks and the surrounding area provide you with an impressive array of recreational options as you explore the Northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. We are also the rainiest town in the contiguous United States, with an average rainfall of 120″ annually!

What is the rainiest city in the Pacific Northwest? ›

Meanwhile, the absolute wettest places in the continental United States are located in the Pacific Northwest, with Washington State's Aberdeen Reservoir taking the top spot with an average yearly precipitation of 130.6 inches (3317mm).

Where is the best and safest place to live in Seattle Washington? ›

Safe Neighborhoods and Areas in Seattle

West Seattle, Magnolia, Fremont, Phinney Ridge, and Columbia City are some of the safest neighborhoods with lower overall crime rates.

What are the best areas to live in Washington? ›

17 Best Cities in Washington State in 2023 (A Local's Picks)
  • Seattle.
  • Bellingham.
  • Port Angeles.
  • Tacoma.
  • Spokane.
  • Vancouver.
  • Bellevue.
  • Olympia.
Mar 31, 2023

What are the racial demographics of Puyallup Washington? ›

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Puyallup, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (76.3%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (6.15%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.94%), White (Hispanic) (3.78%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.39%).

What part of Seattle has the lowest crime rate? ›

The safest neighborhood in Seattle is Hawthorne Hills. Located between Bryant Windermere, Hawthorne Hills has a population of 1,721 and a violent crime rate of 23 per 100,000.

Is Tacoma safer than Seattle? ›

Seattle earned high marks—the no. 7 rank—for financial safety, but fell down the ranks for community safety and natural disaster risk. Tacoma, likewise, earned a no. 91 rank for financial safety, but has similar low ranks for community safety and natural disasters.

Is Puyallup WA safe? ›

With a crime rate of 70 per one thousand residents, Puyallup has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 14.

What is the most isolated town in Washington state? ›

Stehekin Washington Only Has 75 Residents And No Roads Into The Town. There are a lot of highlights that make the small village of Stehekin a tourist destination. A video I discovered which is below displays the beauty and grandeur of the Lake Chelan area.

What city in Washington is best for climate change? ›

Climate Risks for Cities in Washington

The city with the lowest overall risk is Yakima. For heat, Olympia has the lowest risk and Bellingham has the highest risk. For precipitation, Kennewick has the lowest risk and Olympia has the highest risk.

What is the best small town to live in Washington state? ›

The best town to live in Washington state is Snoqualmie because it has one of the lowest crime rates in the state. Other great small towns to live in Washington state are Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, and Vashon Island.

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