Can You Afford a Home in Ruston, WA?
A typical home in Ruston is worth $763,265, up 4.9% over the past year. That is $191K above the Pierce County typical of $572,113.
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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 Ruston costs $763,265. 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 | $313,000 | $260,000 | $238,000 | $254,000 |
| $100,000 | $429,000 | $356,000 | $326,000 | $348,000 |
| $125,000 | $545,000 | $451,000 | $414,000 | $441,000 |
| $150,000 | $660,000 | $547,000 | $502,000 | $535,000 |
| $200,000 | $891,000 | $739,000 | $679,000 | $723,000 |
How Ruston compares to nearby towns
| Town | Typical home | Year over year | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckley | $660,501 | -0.3% | $150,000 |
| University Place | $662,353 | -0.7% | $150,000 |
| Bonney Lake | $675,413 | -0.4% | $153,000 |
| Vaughn | $734,490 | +0.3% | $166,000 |
| Edgewood | $738,116 | -0.2% | $167,000 |
| Ruston (this page) | $763,265 | +4.9% | $172,000 |
| Gig Harbor | $825,326 | +0.3% | $186,000 |
If Ruston is out of reach, Buckley, University Place, Bonney Lake, Vaughn, Edgewood 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 Ruston sell for less than $763,265, 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.