Why So Many People Are Leaving King County for Pierce & Thurston Counties (2025 Relocation Guide)
If you’ve lived in Washington for any amount of time, you’ve watched the shift happening: more and more King County residents are heading south — toward Tacoma, Puyallup, DuPont, Lacey, Olympia, Yelm, Graham, and beyond.
Some are priced out.
Some want more space.
Some want a calmer pace of life.
Some are newly remote.
Some are military families stationed at JBLM.
And some simply want to build a life where their dollars go further and their stress goes down.
After helping dozens of families make this exact move, I can tell you:
People aren’t just leaving King County — they’re choosing Pierce and Thurston counties for a very intentional, very personal set of reasons.
Let’s break down the biggest ones.
1. Affordability: More Home, Less Pressure
This is the #1 reason people leave King County.
In many cases, selling a home in Seattle, Bellevue, or Redmond allows buyers to:
Pay off debt
Buy a larger home
Reduce their monthly housing payment
Move closer to family or nature
Improve their quality of life
Your affordability guides support this point:
How Far Your Budget Goes in Pierce County (2025 Guide)
How Far Your Budget Goes in Thurston County (2025 Guide)
2. Larger Homes, Larger Yards & Room to Breathe
Pierce and Thurston counties offer:
Bigger backyards
More privacy
Newer construction
Space for kids, pets, hobbies, and home offices
Cul-de-sacs and community parks
This lifestyle shift is especially appealing for growing families.
Supporting neighborhood perspectives:
Living in Pierce County, WA: Best Cities, Schools, Neighborhoods & Lifestyle (2025 Guide)
3. Remote Workers Are Choosing Lifestyle Over Proximity
Now that remote and hybrid jobs are more common, people no longer feel tied to King County’s job centers. Lifestyle has become the driver — not the commute.
Supporting remote-work lifestyle guide:
Best WA Cities for Remote Workers in 2025–2026
4. Commute Flexibility for JBLM, Olympia, Tacoma & South Sound Jobs
Not everyone works in Seattle. Many careers now center around:
JBLM
Tumwater government offices
Olympia state agencies
Tacoma hospitals and colleges
Puyallup/Sumner corporate centers
Living in Pierce or Thurston often reduces commute time — not increases it.
Supporting PCS and commute-friendly guides:
Housing Near JBLM: The Best Cities, Commutes & Neighborhoods for Military Families (2025 Guide)
Where to Live When You're Moving to Washington for Work
5. A More Relaxed Pace of Life
This is where the emotional side comes in.
People consistently tell me:
“It just feels calmer down here.”
“We wanted more community.”
“We wanted less noise, less congestion, and more nature.”
“We wanted to raise our kids somewhere with space.”
Pierce & Thurston counties offer:
Less traffic
Easier parking
Friendlier neighborhoods
Less density
A more grounded, unhurried pace
Your walkability and lifestyle blogs reinforce this appeal:
Best Walkable Areas in Pierce County (2025 Guide)
Best Walkable Areas in Thurston County (2025 Guide)
6. School District Options Many Parents Prefer
While King County has top-performing schools, many families find that schools in:
Puyallup
University Place
Steilacoom
Gig Harbor
Lacey
Olympia
Tumwater
…better match their children’s needs, class sizes, supports, or community environment.
Supporting school- and family-focused guides:
Is University Place Worth the Price? (2025 Guide)
Living in Gig Harbor, WA: Neighborhoods, Schools, Waterfront Lifestyle & Real Estate (2025 Guide)
7. Outdoor Recreation Without Leaving Home
Instead of driving hours for weekend adventures, families moving to Pierce & Thurston counties enjoy:
Lakes
Trails
Waterfront parks
Outdoor recreation centers
Mount Rainier access
Forested neighborhoods
Riverwalks and hiking paths
Supporting outdoor-focused guides:
Living on Lake Tapps, WA: Waterfront Lifestyle & Real Estate (2025 Guide)
Ruston Way Waterfront Living (2025 Guide)
8. More Housing Variety & Newer Construction
King County is dense, with limited room for growth.
Pierce & Thurston counties offer more:
New construction communities
Acreage
Modern floor plans
Master-planned walkable neighborhoods
Multi-generational homes
Supporting new-construction–centered content:
Living in Spanaway & Graham, WA: Affordability, New Construction, Schools & Lifestyle (2025 Guide)
9. Political, Cultural, & Lifestyle Fit
Many relocators explain that Pierce or Thurston County simply feels more aligned with their preferences. Whether it’s:
Community culture
Schools
Pace of life
Neighborhood identity
Diversity
Outdoor lifestyle
…people are finding a better match for the life they want to build.
10. Lower Property Taxes & Overall Cost of Living
Even after moving, the financial relief is significant.
Savings Often Come From:
Lower property taxes
Less congestion = lower fuel costs
More affordable grocery & dining options (depending on city)
Cheaper parking
More predictable living costs
Supporting local cost-of-living perspectives:
Cost of Living in Tacoma vs. Puyallup: Which WA City Fits Your Lifestyle?
11. The Emotional Shift: Life Just Feels Easier
This is the part that matters most to families I help.
People move because they want:
More time
More space
More nature
More community
Less pressure
Less noise
Less feeling “stuck”
Heading south often creates that shift — and you can feel it almost immediately.
12. Final Thoughts
People aren’t simply leaving King County — they’re moving toward something better for their lifestyle. Whether it’s affordability, family needs, commuting, or just wanting a calmer chapter, Pierce and Thurston counties offer a mix of value, community, and opportunity that’s hard to find anywhere else in Washington.
If you're planning a move out of King County and want help comparing neighborhoods, commutes, and budgets across the South Sound, I’d love to help you create a plan that makes your next move feel intentional and supported every step of the way.
Written by: Lani Fisher — Washington Realtor Helping Everyday Buyers & Sellers With Confidence