City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Puyallup, WA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Puyallup - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

42,642
Residents
$95,639
Median income
$507,000
Median home
$1,971
Median rent (state)

Puyallup - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Puyallup places in the 75th percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

75th
percentile, household income
85th
percentile, home value
82nd
percentile, median rent
6th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Puyallup, WA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 42,642 residents in Puyallup, a small city within Washington. Puyallup households earn a median of $95,639 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.7%. Puyallup's housing stock carries a median value of $507,000, and the median resident age is 37.2 years. 28.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 41 residential building permits were authorized in Puyallup (Construction Slowdown), down 67% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Puyallup's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 4243.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Washington at 107.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,971 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Washington's average monthly utility costs around $188 (state average). Workers in Puyallup report an average commute of 28.1 minutes, with 75.5% driving alone and 10.7% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 98.5 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

42,642 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$95,639 /yr

Poverty 4.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Puyallup compare to other US cities?

Here's how Puyallup stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 75% higher than other cities
Home value 85% pricier than other cities
Median rent 82% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Washington and the picture shifts: Puyallup ranks #137 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Puyallup against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Washington only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Washington-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of Washington's city distribution

Among the 565 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Puyallup ranks #188 - the 67th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Puyallup only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#215 of 565
62nd percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#153 of 599
66th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#188 of 565
67th percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#331 of 598
44th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#256 of 599
57th percentile in Washington

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Washington only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

75thIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

75th percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Puyallup's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Puyallup's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 33 Avg. percentile National median
Puyallup's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Puyallup's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$507,000 15th percentile more affordable than 15% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Puyallup $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Puyallup, WA Puyallup, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Puyallup, WA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Puyallup, WA median $95,639/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Puyallup, WA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Puyallup, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
42,642
Median Income
$95,639
Median Home Value
$507,000
Median Age
37.2
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Labor force participation
63.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4243.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
374.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3868.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
36
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
42,200 residents42,400 residents42,600 residents42,800 residents43,000 residents43,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 43,028 residents 42,682 residents ▼ -0.8%
Puyallup's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
41
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
31
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 123
2020 102
2021 103
2022 66
2023 16
2024 41

Permit volume decreased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
28.1 minutes
Drive Alone
75.5%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
2.2%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
10.7%
Other
0.8%

Based on 21,268 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Washington - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Washington state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Puyallup sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,971/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Edmonds
42,783 people
Lynnwood
40,953 people
Bremerton
44,531 people
Lake Stevens
39,500 people
Issaquah
39,472 people
Parkland
39,174 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Puyallup's 42,642 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Vineyard, CA
42,645 people
Lake Worth Beach, FL
42,650 people
San Bruno, CA
42,612 people
Manassas, VA
42,674 people
Coachella, CA
42,594 people
Catonsville, MD
42,717 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Puyallup's $95,639 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Trinity, AL
$95,625 median income
Limestone, IL
$95,625 median income
Blucksberg Mountain, SD
$95,658 median income
North Druid Hills, GA
$95,612 median income
Sylvania, OH
$95,610 median income
Henderson, MD
$95,673 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Puyallup, WA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Puyallup, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 72.6% 6.2% 12.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.2% White 72.6% Black or African American 4.3% Asian 6.2% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 3.6% Two or more races 12.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Puyallup compares to nearby Washington cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Puyallup (this city) 42,642 $95,639
Edmonds 42,783 $116,095
Lynnwood 40,953 $76,439
Bremerton 44,531 $74,399
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Puyallup, WA?

What is the population of Puyallup, WA? +

42,642 people live in Puyallup, WA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Puyallup, WA? +

Median annual household income in Puyallup runs $95,639, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Puyallup? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Puyallup; the closest available measure is the Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

Is Puyallup, WA safe? +

Puyallup has a total crime rate of 4243.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Puyallup, WA? +

Homes in Puyallup carry a median value of $507,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.