Puyallup is about 10 miles southeast of Tacoma and 35 miles south of Seattle. This Pierce County city of about 42,000 is named after the Puyallup Tribe. The area has many rivers, parks and striking views of the snow-capped Mount Rainier. It developed into a small farming community after homesteader pioneers arrived in the 1850s and was incorporated as a city in 1890. In the past, commerce was mainly agricultural, focused on hops, berries, and flowers. Today, major employers, along with the Puyallup Tribe, include the local school district and MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital. Puyallup's downtown is along South Meridian Street.
According to Joshua Walden, a broker with NextHome Prolific, who grew up in the Tacoma area, some see Puyallup as a satellite city to Tacoma. However, Puyallup is less urban: It's more family oriented and less densely populated than some other cities in the region.
The gorgeous Puyallup River is the jewel of the area.
Mt. Rainier can be seen from all over Puyallup.
Puyallup is a neighborhood located about an hour west of Mount Rainier.
Puyallup is a very scenic neighborhood east of Tacoma and near Mount Rainier.
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Puyallup's median home prices above the U.S. median
Puyallup boasts a fairly competitive housing market, with homes selling after 35 days on average compared to nationally at 44 days. Builds in Puyallup include early 1900s Craftsmans, 1950s to 1970s ramblers and split-levels, and 2000s to 2020s contemporary subdivision-style homes. Single-family homes make up the bulk of real estate, although there are townhouses and condominiums, including those in the south and southwest of the city. Puyallup's average sales price over 12 months — $580,000 in October 2024 — was up 5% from the preceding year. Puyallup's median price of $550,000 is below Pierce County's median, at $608,000, and Seattle's, $849,000.
A row of newly built homes east of downtown in Puyallup.
A picturesque Puyallup home, across the street from Stewart Elementary.
A bungalow in a street corner in Puyallup.
Aerial view of housing options in Puyallup.
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Washington State Fair, Daffodil Festival and other events
Puyallup is home base for the 20-day Washington State Fair, which starts Labor Day weekend and is held again for eight days in April. With over a million visitors annually, it's one of the most widely attended events in the Pacific Northwest and one of the biggest fairs in the country. Joining the many deep-fried fair and carnival foods are the Fisher Fair Scones, a favorite for over 110 years. The fairgrounds host events year-round, including Oktoberfest, Washington State Horror Con, Washington State Toy and Geek Fest and a culinary gathering called The Taste Northwest. The historical import of the fair site is connected to the forced relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II, as it was previously used as an internment camp.
In early April, the Daffodil Festival celebrates the community's colorful culture and includes a Grand Floral Parade. The festival's Royal Court dons their brightest yellow attire before the coronation of the new Daffodil Queen. Other popular Puyallup events include Meeker Days, a downtown street festival in mid-June with vendors, a car show and family activities. BOO-Allup is the city's version of Halloween.
Ferris Wheel and rotating swings are available at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup WA.
Find a partner and join on the dance floor during Oktoberfest NW.
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Kids are all smiles while watching Professor Smart during the Washington State Fair.
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Lots of shops downtown, South Hill Mall and more
Downtown Puyallup has more than 20 shops, many of them locally owned. There are just as many food options, from pubs and pizza, Japanese and Mexican, to cafes and a cake shop. South Hill Mall, a few miles from downtown, has over 100 stores, restaurants, a movie theater and a bowling alley with an arcade. The Catapult Adventure Park is in Valley Plaza.
Past South Hill Mall, farther down state Route 161, there's a retail corridor with shopping centers and brand-name stores, including Target, Walmart Supercenter, Kohl's and Fred Meyer. Regional and national chain restaurants and some independently owned options are available as well.
A customer awaits his caffeine fix at Anthem Coffee & Tea.
Head to South Hill Mall in Puyallup to take care of your shopping needs.
Puyallup has a large retail hub on the south side.
Enjoy access to big box stores and retail in Puyallup.
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Highly rated Puyallup School District is 6th largest in state
Earning a B-plus grade from Niche, the Puyallup School District (PSD) is the sixth largest in the state, with nearly 23,000 students and around 3,700 employees. "You'd buy a house in Puyallup because you have three kids and want them to go to a good school district," Walden says. Higher education options in the area include Pierce College Puyallup.
Northwood Elementary School entrance.
Puyallup High School with views of Mt. Ranier.
Ferrucci Jr High School provides education in the neighborhood of
Puyallup
Aylen Junior High School entrance view.
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The Puyallup Tribe's contributions and culture
The Puyallup Tribe has lived on the Puget Sound for thousands of years. The Puyallup Reservation encompasses nearly 30 square miles, overlapping parts of Puyallup, Tacoma and other smaller communities. Though the land is under the jurisdiction of the Puyallup Tribe of Native Americans, most people living here are not members.
Community engagement is a priority for the tribe, which has a motto, "Generous and welcoming to all people." The tribe facilitates educational and recreational programming, and there's a Puyallup Tribal Museum in Fife. The Puyallup Tribal Language Program's mission is to share and revitalize the Twulshootseed language, a southern dialect of Lushootseed, a Coast Salish language.
The tribe is one of Pierce County's Top 10 employers. Tacoma has the Emerald Queen Casino, which opened in 2020, and Kenmore Air on Ruston Way Puyallup Tribal Air Terminal, which opened in 2023 and provides seasonal seaplane flights.
Recreation at Pioneer Park and on the Riverwalk Trail
Puyallup has over 20 recreational sites and features, including a skatepark, dog park and community gardens. Pioneer Park downtown has a playground, spray park, chess tables and a large pavilion for events. At the park is a statue of Ezra Meeker, a 19th-century Oregon Trail pioneer some later called the "Hop King of the World" for his brewing success. Meeker was Puyallup's first mayor, serving from 1890 to 1891. Pioneer Park is also the setting for the city's summertime Family Concert Series. Additionally, the Puyallup Farmers Market is held there on Saturdays from April until October.
Wildwood Park is over 80 acres, with picnic areas, a trail system and a playground. Bradley Lake Park is 59 acres and includes a mile-long lakeside loop for walking and jogging, a large picnic area, ball fields and a playground. The Puyallup Riverwalk Trail extends 5 miles from the city's west edge to the east Main Street bridge. Proposed plans to connect to Pierce County Foothills Trail would link regional trails connecting to Mount Rainier National Park, Tukwila, Sumner and the Interurban Trail.
Puyallup residents enjoying a quiet lunch in a city park.
Public Library in Pioneer Park in Puyallup.
Pioneer Park is in the center of downtown Puyallup.
Watch the colors change for fall at Veterans Park.
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Pierce Transit, Puyallup Station and crime
Puyallup is bisected by state Route 512, which runs west to meet Interstate 5. State Route 167 runs north through Auburn and Kent to Renton. Though most residents drive to get around, Pierce Transit offers bus services, with a route heading to downtown Tacoma. The South Hill Park & Ride is on Ninth Street. On-demand service via Pierce Transit Runner vehicles operates in some areas that previously had fixed bus routes. Puyallup Station on Main Avenue has Sound Transit Sounder commuter rail service on the S Line. The Sounder train to Lakewood Station takes about 30 minutes, with stops in Tacoma. The train to Seattle's King Street Station usually takes under an hour, with stops at stations in Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila.
Pierce County Airport-Thun Field in south Puyallup provides various services, including charter and business flights and a flight simulator that's open to the public. For domestic and international flights, it's about 22 miles from downtown Puyallup to SeaTac, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
FBI data from the Puyallup Police Department shows the city's violent crime reports at the end of 2023 were 97 per 100,000, compared to a state rate of 89 and a national rate of 121.
Written By
Robin Silberman
Photography Contributed By
Howard Snyder
Video By
Taylor Gilbert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ron MC,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Puyallup, WA sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Puyallup, WA over the last 12 months is $575,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Step into comfort, value, and opportunity with this beautifully maintained rambler that truly checks all the boxes! Featuring 3 spacious bedrooms, an open-concept kitchen, and bright, inviting living areas filled with natural light, this home offers the perfect blend of functionality and warmth. The generous walk-in closet provides excellent storage, while the large full-size garage offers even
Welcome to this beautifully refreshed home in the sought-after Walden Pond Community! Ideally positioned at the entrance of a quiet cul-de-sac, offering a welcoming presence with minimal through traffic this beautiful home offers 2,614 sq ft, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. With brand-new interior and exterior paint and all-new windows, this home delivers the perfect combination of modern updates and
Welcome home to this beautifully situated end-unit condo offering both privacy and convenience. Tucked away in a peaceful setting while remaining just minutes from major freeways, shopping, dining, and entertainment, this home presents an excellent opportunity for homeowners and investors alike.The thoughtfully designed floor plan features an open-concept layout that maximizes both everyday
New Roof | 4 Bedrooms | 1.75 Bathrooms | 13,000 SF Lot | Expansive Deck | Remodeled Kitchen | Fresh Interior & Exterior Paint | Fireplaces on Each Level Welcome to 12615 68th Ave Ct E—where space, updates, and everyday convenience come together seamlessly. Set on a generous 13,000 sq ft lot, this 4-bedroom, 1.75-bath home offers the kind of breathing room that’s hard to find, paired with one of
Come experience highly sought after 55+ community of Harvest Gate. This 2 bedroom & den floorplan is a favorite of many. Huge living room with gas log fireplace, formal dining along with large dining area in the gourmet island kitchen. The primary suite is spacious with a sitting area, big walk-in closet and bright bathroom. Guest bedroom is quite large too. Enjoy the big covered patio and large
Welcome to the sought after Lipoma Firs community. This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home offers 1,726 sq ft of living space, with a brand new roof, new carpet and freshly painted inside and even newer solar panels!!! The Great room features a corner gas fireplace and flows to a separate dining area just off the kitchen. The kitchen provides generous cabinetry and counter space for easy meal prep.
Amazing condo/townhouse located within the gated, quiet, park like setting of the Ashlyn Condo Community in Downtown Puyallup. Featuring new vinyl floors in kitchen, dining & powder room, new carpet & interior paint. Gas fireplace for those cooler nights. All appliances stay. Primary bedroom w/double closets & full bath. Huge 3rd bedroom or could be bonus room. Oversized 2-car garage. HOA covers
Wonderful 3 bedroom Silvercrest home. Lovely open living room with freestanding gas fireplace, dining room and large bright kitchen with breakfast bar. Big primary suite with 5 piece bathroom and a slider to oversized back patio. Large guest room feels like its own primary space!! Great floor-plan with laundry room and big garage. Beautiful landscaping on this perimeter lot. .spacious covered
Location wins here — and this beautifully remodeled condo delivers. Steps from Good Samaritan Hospital with quick access to Hwys 512, 167, and 410, plus South Hill Mall, Bradley Lake Park, and the Puyallup Farmers Market right around the corner. This split level unit serves up sweeping views of Puyallup, Tacoma, the Olympic Mountains, and the valley from both the living area and deck — with a
Beautifully remodeled and well designed 3 bedroom 2.5 bath in a wonderful cul-de-sac ideally located within the Puyallup school district. Thoughtfully updated throughout with new high end flooring, fresh new carpet, accent lighting adding warmth and style enhancing the home’s inviting atmosphere. The home features the remodeled kitchen having elegant quartz countertops, large added Island, a
Welcome to your private Puyallup retreat on nearly half an acre! This 3 bed, 2.5 bath home offers a bright, inviting layout with vaulted ceilings, spacious living areas, and a cozy fireplace. Step outside to your own backyard oasis— featuring a sparkling pool, patio, and plenty of room to relax or entertain all summer long. The property also includes a detached garage and RV parking, providing
Welcome home to this inviting 3-bedroom, 1.75-bath home offering 1,528 sq. ft. of comfortable living space. Enjoy brand-new vinyl plank flooring throughout the main living areas and new carpet in all three bedrooms. The updated tile walk-in shower adds a modern touch, while the cozy pellet stove creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxing evenings. A newer roof provides added peace of
Discover affordable, worry-free living in sought-after downtown Puyallup at a 55+ small community! This move in ready charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home offers 800 sq ft of comfortable, modern space—perfect for relaxed retirement. With Key features and multiple upgrades such as Remodeled kitchen with gleaming granite countertops, back splashes, new sink/faucet, and newer stainless steel
Welcome to this wonderful South Hill home, tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac. This spacious 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home features an inviting open-concept layout where the living room and kitchen flow seamlessly together—perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The generously sized kitchen offers ample space and is complemented by large windows that fill the home with natural light. Upstairs,
Welcome to the gated community of English Ridge! Tucked at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this spacious 5-bedroom, 3-bath home offers privacy along with beautiful territorial views. A wide split-entry design creates a versatile layout with room for everyone. Upstairs, you’ll find new vinyl plank flooring and a stunning living room featuring a floor-to-ceiling stone gas fireplace. The space flows
Situated near Linden Golf & Country Club in the beautiful Puget Sound region, Puyallup, Washington, offers an ideal setting for work, life, and play. Our pet-friendly one and two bedroom apartments place you near beautiful parks and trails to explore with your pup.
Step inside and you’ll swear this home is brand new. This beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers over 1,970 sq ft of comfortable, modern living space. The main level features durable laminate flooring throughout, a light and bright entryway, convenient half bath, and a spacious living room with plenty of room for even the largest sectional. The kitchen flows seamlessly into the
From the moment you walk through the front door you'll feel the comfort that makes our residents happy to call Meridian Pointe home. Cutting edge amenities, meticulously-groomed grounds, our new interiors and a dedicated staff contributes to a higher standard of living.
Welcome to your next home sweet home! These beautifully maintained townhomes offer the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and convenience, tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac with a peaceful neighborhood feel. Each home features a detached garage, giving you extra space for parking and storage, along with bright and inviting living areas that are perfect for both relaxing evenings and entertaining
At Heritage Square we strive to provide our residents a quiet and comfortable place to live. Our uniquely designed 4-Plex buildings feature three beautiful and spacious Two-bedroom floor plans, each including an attached single car garage. Plus, there is no one living above or below you in any of our apartments. We are conveniently located in the valley in Puyallup, close to schools, shopping,
Great rental-Bethel SD!! Nice home w/4 Beds & 2.25 baths. Upstairs Primary bed w/private bath, 3 more beds, full bath, Loft area & laundry rm w/Washer/Dryer. Living rm on the main level & kitchen w/eating space & Patio off the sliders. Fully fenced byard. Athletic Park!! Terms: 12 month lease. No Smoking in home or garage. Tenants responsible for all utilities to include garbage & must maintain
At Canyon Park you can enjoy the scenic vistas of the Pacific Northwest, in the friendly community of Puyallup, Washington. We offer large one-two-and three-bedroom apartment homes, a resort-styled clubhouse with full wi-fi so you can work or scroll while relaxing in our resident lounge, playing in the pool or taking a break in the spa. Indoor basketball, fitness center and tanning salon will
1 bed 1 bath (shower only-no tub). New flooring, new paint, newer granite countertops, newer blinds. Park right in front of your unit. Gas heat. Laundry room on site. Rent includes water, sewer, trash, and landscaping. Cats OK. Non-smokers only. $1250 deposit DOC required. One-year leases only. Sec 8 ok. Credit app for age 18+ is $49 each. Rent includes 2 adults and 2 cars. Owner is a licensed RE
Lipoma Firs Townhomes is a new townhome community nestled along the greenbelt in South Hill. You will be proud to call one of our state-of-the-art spacious homes your home with features like quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, real wood cabinets, condo quality finishes, air conditioning, fireplaces, oversized garages with lots of storage, and more. Each home has spacious open concept
Conveniently located 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offering a blend of tasteful updates and original character. Enjoy comfortable living with functional space, plenty of parking, and easy access to nearby schools, shopping, and everyday amenities. Terms: 1st and 1 month rent security deposit. 12+ mth lease. Washer and Dryer are located in the backside of the home and shared between both units. No
Welcome to The Valley. Enjoy comfortable, timeless apartment living just minutes from downtown Puyallup. Nearly walking distance to parks, shops, schools and services, these homes are ideally located, and have quick and easy access to anything you need. Location is key and we've got you covered. Walk to your favorite restaurants, local hotspots, and transit options with ease. The Valley is luxury
Conveniently located 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offering a blend of tasteful updates and original character. Enjoy comfortable living with functional space, plenty of parking, and easy access to nearby schools, shopping, and everyday amenities. Terms: 1st and 1 month rent security deposit. 12+ mth lease. Washer and Dryer are located in the backside of the home and shared between both units. No
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