Spanaway

Spanaway

Located in Pierce County

$505,158 Average Value
$299 Average Price per Sq Ft
99 Homes For Sale

A small Tacoma-area city on Spanaway Lake

Home to the 250-acre Spanaway Lake, unincorporated Spanaway sits 10 miles from the busier, more urban city of Tacoma. "Spanaway is on the lower-priced side of the Washington housing market," says Vicky Marchenko, a local Realtor with John L. Scott Real Estate. "Compared to Tacoma, you can get the same house for $30,000 to $40,000 less. On the water, I've seen them go for $600,000." Home to just over 34,000 residents, Spanaway has a small-town feel. It’s adjacency to Joint Base Lewis-McPoint (JBLM) means there’s a strong military presence here, but many residents also work in healthcare at MultiCare hospitals and clinics between here and Tacoma. Spanaway shares a border with the smaller city of Parkland, giving residents access to walking trails through the city’s surrounding woods.

Mt.Rainier is visible from around the Spanaway neighborhood.
Mt.Rainier is visible from around the Spanaway neighborhood.
Brand new unsold homes in a new Spanaway neighborhood.
Brand new unsold homes in a new Spanaway neighborhood.
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Lakefront homes feature boating docks

The median home price in Spanaway is about $500,000, compared to Tacoma’s $480,000. “The value is in the space you can get for about the same amount of money,” says real estate agent Corey Lofton with the Washington State Real Estate Team. Four- and five-bedroom homes fall well under $700,000 here, and many are set on the lakefront or around the lake’s 11-acre island; private boat docks are common. The range of housing styles here include ranch-style homes, Craftsman-inspired new traditional homes and split-levels, often set on forested streets and cul-de-sacs. Single-family lakefront homes and newly constructed properties are often priced between $650,000 and $800,000, while manufactured homes and townhomes spread throughout the community can cost between $300,000 and $400,000.

There is a large variety of homes in Spanaway from new construction to established homes.
There is a large variety of homes in Spanaway from new construction to established homes.
This Home Has Easy Access To The Water Via Its Private Dock.
This Home Has Easy Access To The Water Via Its Private Dock.
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Natural open spaces and indoor ice skating

With the majority of Spanaway Lake fenced-in or on privately owned properties, Spanaway Park is the only way for visitors to access the water. The park offers paddle boat rentals from its boat house and a fishing dock — although it’s under construction as of early 2025. When the dock is operating, residents spend warm days there fishing for rock bass and yellow perch. In Parkland, the Sprinker Recreation Center is popular for its NHL regulation skating rink, skate park and sports fields. Just behind Sprinker, Bresemann Forest offers walking trails that lead through a 70-acre naturally wooded area that’s hugged by the small Spanaway Creek.

Diverse food scenes and downtown Tacoma

Most of Spanaway’s restaurants and retail are set along Route 7 (also known as Pacific Avenue), the main thoroughfare. Among a slew of fast-casual eateries, the street is lined with national retailers, grocery stores and diverse restaurants; Asian food has the most prominent presence here. While there are a few small, locally owned boutiques around town, residents often drive to Tacoma Mall for more options. Tacoma Mall is the largest shopping center in Pierce County, featuring 130 stores. As a larger city, Tacoma’s dining scene offers a bit more variety than Spanaway; seafood, craft breweries, taprooms and coffee shops are spread throughout the central business district, downtown Tacoma.

Safeway is one of the main grocery stores in Spanaway.
Safeway is one of the main grocery stores in Spanaway.
LA Fitness is one of the retail amenities for the Spanaway neighborhood.
LA Fitness is one of the retail amenities for the Spanaway neighborhood.
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Virtual learning for students of all grades

Students are served by the Bethel School District, which gets a C-plus grade from Niche. Most high schoolers attend Spanaway High, however, a small portion of the town's south side is zoned for Bethel High. Students of all grade levels can attend the Bethel Virtual Academy. Nearby higher education options include Pacific Lutheran University, about 3 miles north, and Clover Park Technical College, about 8 miles north.

Spanaway Lake High School in Spanaway.
Spanaway Lake High School in Spanaway.
Spanaway Elementary School in Spanaway.
Spanaway Elementary School in Spanaway.
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Pacific Avenue leads to Tacoma

State Route 512 connects Spanaway to Interstate 5 in Lakewood, approximately 12 miles away, with Seattle about 35 miles north from there. Route 7 (Pacific Avenue) intersects with the 512 in nearby Parkland and leads to Tacoma in 10 miles. Spanaway’s walkability and bikeability are limited, with pedestrians and cyclists usually using road shoulders. Pierce Transit buses make several stops along Pacific Avenue, leading to Parkland, Tacoma and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Also known as Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma is about 33 miles away.

Noise factors from JBLM

Law enforcement in Spanaway is handled by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD). According to the department's most recent data, from 2022, areas serviced by the PCSD report lower rates of property and violent crime than those in Pierce County overall.


Spanaway’s proximity to Joint Base Lewis-McChord means residents often hear weekly artillery and mortar training, as well as regular flights of helicopters and large military planes. JBLM tries to minimize disruption by announcing nighttime training and major exercises that might be noisy.

Braxton Chea
Written By
Braxton Chea
Perry Cucinotta
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
Jahlil Harris
Video By
Jahlil Harris

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Andre Jones, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Spanaway Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$514,950
Median Sale Price
$500,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$510,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$377,500
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$310,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
547
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$3
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$299

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
99
Months of Supply
2.20

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Jun 14
    11am - 1pm

    1749 181st St E, Spanaway, WA 98387

    $479,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,685 Sq Ft
    • 1749 181st St E
    • New 7 days ago

    Very clean 3 bedroom 2.5 bathroom home in the gated community of Wyndham Ranch in Spanaway, this is a one-owner home that has been well cared for, and is move-in ready, the main level has the living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry, and 1/2 bath, all the bedrooms are upstairs, the bonus room could be turned into a 4th bedroom, seller had pre-sale inspection done to ensure any potential

    Agent Photo
    Jim Swanson
    COMPASS
    (253) 366-8694
  • Saturday, Jun 14
    11am - 5pm

    16508 8th Avenue Ct E Unit 43, Spanaway, WA 98387

    $634,950

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,482 Sq Ft
    • 16508 8th Avenue Ct E
    • Unit 43

    Welcome to Phase 2 of the Landing at Spanaway Lake. The second phase is on a dead end street w/ improved standard finishes. Granite & quartz counters throughout, open railings w/ iron balusters, Hand Scraped laminate flooring throughout the main floor living areas & stainless steel appliances are just a few of the popular features. On Lot 43 is the 2482 sq ft Blossom plan. This PRESALE homes

    Agent Photo
    VonKarl Inman
    eXp Realty
    (253) 799-1121
  • Saturday, Jun 14
    11am - 5pm

    824 166th Street Ct E Unit 2, Spanaway, WA 98387

    $676,005

    • 5 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,603 Sq Ft
    • 824 166th Street Ct E
    • Unit 2

    $28,000 YOUR WAY !! VA LOANS receive 2-1 buydown starting at 4.5% and all closing cost paid MOVE IN FOR $0 On lot 2 you will find the popular Sterling Plan. The main floor junior suite is completed w/attached 3/4 bath & walk in closet. Open kitchen with quartz counter tops, soft close drawers and cabinets, large island & pantry, great room with access to the backyard and covered patio. open

    Agent Photo
    VonKarl Inman
    eXp Realty
    (253) 252-1856

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Spanaway Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
34,133
Median Age
35
Population under 18
27.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.3%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$85,471
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$95,079

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.3%
College Graduates
12%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Spanaway