Many people still think of Tacoma as a somewhat affordable city next to Seattle.

However, after living here and exploring the neighborhoods, you realize that Tacoma's atmosphere and home prices can vary significantly depending on where you live.

Especially as you head north, you encounter neighborhoods that are quite different from the typical image of Tacoma.

The numbers also show a clear difference. According to Redfin data from August 2026, the median home sale price for all of Tacoma is about $500,000.

However, in the North End, it's around $740,000. Even though it's still Tacoma, there's a difference of over $200,000. There are many homes here with great views that exceed $1 million.

In any case, homes in the North End sold for about 7.2% more than the same time last year, and they were on the market for only about 8 days before selling.

Zillow's data is similar. The average home value in the North End was recorded at about $650,000 as of the end of August 2026, which is significantly higher than the overall average home value in Tacoma of about $488,000.

If you visit in person, you can somewhat understand why. The North End features older single-family homes and neighborhoods with many large trees, and it's close to Point Defiance Park and the water. Even though the homes are old, they give off a strong impression of being well-maintained rather than just rundown neighborhoods.

One area I'm particularly interested in is the Proctor District.

Proctor is not just a residential area with houses. It has a central hub with shops and restaurants, making it different from other neighborhoods in the North End where you can walk to get your daily needs. The city of Tacoma officially classifies Proctor as a Mixed-Use Center, and in 2026, it approved a new residential development with 98 units in this area.

Walking around Proctor gives you a feel similar to a small neighborhood commercial district in Seattle.

It's an attractive area for those who enjoy a lifestyle where they can step out of their homes for coffee, meals, and shopping.

And at the northern tip of Tacoma, you find Ruston.

One important thing to note is that Ruston is not a neighborhood of Tacoma. Although it appears to be part of the same living area, it was established as an independent city in 1906 and still exists as the separate Town of Ruston.

The home prices here are also significant. According to Redfin's summer 2026 data, the median sale price over the last three months has risen to about $1.1 million.

However, Ruston is such a small area that the number of transactions is low. In August, the number of sales was only a few, so you shouldn't take the $1.1 million figure as the value of all homes in the area. A few expensive homes can significantly affect the median price.

In fact, recent transactions included homes in the $550,000 range as well as homes exceeding $1.6 million. The price differences are quite large depending on the location and view of the homes.

The biggest advantage of Ruston is its location. It's right next to Commencement Bay and adjacent to Point Defiance Park.

Once a site for a smelter, it has undergone extensive environmental cleanup and has now transformed into the Point Ruston waterfront development area.

Ultimately, when you look at the home price ranges, it's not accurate to view Tacoma solely as a "cheaper city than Seattle."

Even with the overall median sale price of about $500,000 in Tacoma, the North End is in the $700,000 range, and in Ruston, transactions over $1 million are not uncommon.

However, I wouldn't necessarily say that these neighborhoods are guaranteed good investment opportunities.

The fact that home prices are high does not mean that they will continue to rise in the future.

Still, after exploring the North End, Proctor, and the nearby Ruston, one thing is clear.

Each neighborhood in Tacoma has a completely different character.

If you enjoy older residential areas, waterfront views, large parks, and walkable commercial districts, the northern part of Tacoma is definitely worth checking out in person.

Just driving a few blocks can help you understand why these homes are more expensive than the Tacoma average when you only look at home prices on a map.