Can You Afford a Home in University Place, WA?
A typical home in University Place is worth $653,880, down 0.3% over the past year. That is $90K above the Pierce County typical of $564,102.
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Assumes housing costs stay at 33% of gross income — the sustainable middle, not the maximum a lender would approve. A typical home in University Place costs $653,880. Rates as of 5 September 2026; they move weekly and your quote will differ.
What each income level buys in Pierce County
Prices below are what keeps housing at 33% of gross income, using Pierce County’s 0.94% effective property tax rate. The Conventional column assumes 20% down; the zero-down columns finance the funding fee into the loan.
| Household income | Conventional | VA | Zero-down CU | FHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $312,000 | $259,000 | $237,000 | $253,000 |
| $100,000 | $428,000 | $354,000 | $325,000 | $347,000 |
| $125,000 | $543,000 | $450,000 | $414,000 | $440,000 |
| $150,000 | $659,000 | $546,000 | $502,000 | $534,000 |
| $200,000 | $890,000 | $738,000 | $678,000 | $722,000 |
How University Place compares to nearby towns
| Town | Typical home | Year over year | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roy | $617,876 | +0.3% | $141,000 |
| Fircrest | $618,214 | +0.8% | $141,000 |
| Longbranch | $621,094 | +1.1% | $142,000 |
| Steilacoom | $636,520 | +0.5% | $145,000 |
| Buckley | $651,431 | -0.1% | $148,000 |
| University Place (this page) | $653,880 | -0.3% | $149,000 |
| Bonney Lake | $667,317 | -0.3% | $152,000 |
If University Place is out of reach, Roy, Fircrest, Longbranch, Steilacoom, Buckley sit lower in the same county — same commute shed, same schools district-by-district, less money.
What this does not tell you
These are typical values, not listings. Half the homes in University Place sell for less than $653,880, and condos and townhomes sit well below it. Property tax is a county-wide effective rate, so your parcel will differ. Insurance is a state average. Run your own numbers with your own quote before you take any of this as settled.