Tacoma ranked one of the worst U.S. cities for renters, according to new study. Here’s why

One of the biggest topics of conversations as of recently, especially among young adults, is if its better to rent or own a home.

A new study conducted by Wallethub compared more than 180 rental markets in the country to and identified which cities were the most renter-friendly and which ones weren’t. The study analyzed key factors such as the difference between rental rates and mortgage payments to rental affordability, the cost of living and job availability.

The study listed four Washington state cities. One was ranked among the worst cities for renters: Tacoma.

Best cities for renters

The two key dimensions the study used to determine the best and worst cities for renters in the country were rental market & affordability and quality of life. All key dimensions were evaluated using 21 metrics based on rental attractiveness and quality of life.

The top five best cities for renters in the U.S., according to the study, are:

• Bismarck, North Dakota

• Overland Park, Kansas

• Scottsdale, Arizona

• Sioux Falls, South Dakota

• Lewiston, Maryland

Tacoma ranked among worst cities for renters

Although a previous study ranked Tacoma among one of the best cities to live, Wallethub’s study found that this same city is one of the worst places for renters.

Tacoma was ranked No. 179, the fourth-worst city for renters.

Cassandra Happe, an analyst at Wallethub, stated in an email through a spokesperson, that Tacoma was ranked as one of the least renter-friendly cities in the country “due to a a combination of factors, including high rent-to-income ratios, low rental affordability, and poor quality of life.”

The News Tribune previously reported that rent across Tacoma neighborhoods nestles close to the city’s average apartment rent of $1,680, nearly $600 cheaper than the neighboring City of Seattle’s average of $2,270. But according to the Wallethub study, Tacoma ranked No. 153 out of 182 in the rental market & affordability dimension.

“The city faces challenges with renters experiencing severe cost burdens, often spending more than 50% of their income on housing,” Happe stated. “In addition, rental prices in Tacoma are high compared to average incomes.”

Happe added that the City of Tacoma’s limited job opportunities and safety concerns reduce its appeal as rental market.

Ranking of other Washington cities:

Three other cities in Washington also were also ranked low on the list, but higher than Tacoma.

• #128 - Spokane

• #140 - Seattle

• #169 - Vancouver

Renter assistance in Tacoma

If you’re in need of renter assistance in the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Housing Authority offers several programs that help people pay for housing. The Project-Based Section 8 Voucher Program is one of THA’s programs that makes units in certain apartment building affordable for a longer period of time and also helps the owner get financing to build or renovate the housing, according to their website.

The City of Tacoma has also passed ordinances that update the city’s Rental Housing Code which “strengthen requirements around notices to increase rent; shared housing standards; standardized tenant screening criteria; standards for fees and deposits” and more, according to the city’s website .