Tacoma Housing Market Update: September 2026

Written by Derek Johnson | Remnant Real Estate | Updated October 2026

Pierce County had more homes for sale at the end of September than a month or a year earlier, and fewer of them sold. Prices held a little above last year. It's still not a buyer's market, but it's the closest we've been in a while, and that changes how you should list.

The September numbers

• Median sale price: $575,000, up 2.7% from $560,000 in September 2025
• Closed sales: 862, down from 947 a year ago (about 9% fewer)
• Average time on market: 47 days, up from 42
• Active listings: 3,269 at the end of the month, up 21.6% from 2,689
• Months of inventory: 3.79

These are NWMLS figures for Pierce County, residential and condo sales combined. Across the whole NWMLS area, the median was $625,000, down 0.9% from last year, with 4.44 months of inventory.

Inside Tacoma city limits, Redfin shows a median sale price of $499,837 for the three months ending in September, up 2.0%, and a median of about 13 days on market. That's a different data set and a different way of measuring time on market, but it's a good reminder that a Tacoma home and a countywide average aren't the same thing.

What changed since August

In August the county median was $589,000, homes averaged 40 days on market, and there were 3.33 months of inventory. September came in lower on price and slower on time. Part of that is the normal fall slowdown. The rest is supply: buyers have about 580 more homes to look at than they did a year ago.

What this means if you're selling in Tacoma

Price for the homes buyers can see today. With almost 3,300 active listings in the county, buyers are comparing. A home priced off last spring's sales tends to sit, and the longer it sits the harder the price conversation gets.

Fix what creates doubt, skip the rest. Buyers have time to notice deferred maintenance now. Paint, lighting, cleaning, yard work and small repairs still do more than a remodel. Our step-by-step guide to selling a home in Tacoma walks through what to do first.

Plan for the full timeline. The 47-day average is time on market only. It doesn't include prep, inspection, appraisal or closing. If you also need to buy, build that into the plan before the sign goes up.

Know your net before you list. Excise tax, fees and concessions add up faster when buyers are negotiating. See what it costs to sell a home in Tacoma, or what it costs to sell a home in Puyallup if you're east of the valley.

Your neighborhood is its own market. A North End craftsman and a newer house on South Hill are competing with very different sets of homes. Our North Tacoma neighborhood guide and South Hill Puyallup guide go street-level.

Is it a buyer's market?

Not yet. A balanced market is usually four to six months of inventory, and Pierce County is at 3.79. Buyers have more leverage than they did last year, but a clean, well-priced home still sells.

Want to talk through your situation?

We'll look at your home, the likely price range and what's worth fixing. If waiting makes more sense, we'll tell you that too. Call or text (253) 242-2514, or send us a note.

Sources: Northwest Multiple Listing Service, September 2026 Market Snapshot; NWMLS Pierce County Area Statistics Report, September 2026; NWMLS Pierce County report, August 2026; Redfin Tacoma housing market (three months ending September 2026, checked October 23, 2026). County figures combine residential and condominium sales. Neighborhood results can differ.