Nestled between Tacoma and Lake Tapps, the City of Milton offers a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Residents enjoy a welcoming environment with scenic parks, quiet neighborhoods, and easy access to nearby urban centers like Tacoma and Seattle. Whether you’re moving for work or simply looking for a quieter pace of life, living in Milton WA provides a perfect balance of serenity and convenience.
Are you considering moving to Milton WA? Here’s everything you can look forward to!
Is Milton WA a Good Place to Live?
Milton is a good place to live, especially for those who prefer a small-town atmosphere with easy access to larger cities. It offers a quiet, family-friendly environment and proximity to parks, schools, and urban amenities.
When Was Milton WA Founded?
Milton, Washington, was founded in 1907 and originally developed as a logging town.
Where Is Milton WA?
Milton, Washington, is a small city located in both Pierce County and King County, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The city is surrounded by several other communities, offering a suburban feel with easy access to larger urban areas. Milton is bordered by Edgewood to the east, Northeast Tacoma and Fife to the west, Federal Way and Lakeland South to the north, and Puyallup to the south.
Milton is one of the cities closest to Tacoma. It’s about 10 miles north of Tacoma, and near Commencement Bay, providing proximity to both natural beauty and urban conveniences.
All Ready Moving & Storage is a local Milton moving company ready to help, whether you’re moving to Milton WA, or elsewhere in Pierce County. Call the best Milton movers today at (360) 284-2447 for a free, personalized moving quote.
How Far Is It From Milton WA to Seattle?
It’s 28 miles from Milton WA to Seattle via I-15.
How Far Is It From Milton WA to Seattle Tacoma International Airport?
Milton is 19 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to the north via I-15. The drive takes 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
What Is the Population of Milton Washington?
The population of Milton is 8,697 based on the 2020 census, with a population density of 3,073 people per square mile. Milton is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area, which has a population of 4 million, more than half the total population of the state of Washington.
Demographics of people living in Milton WA: :
- Median age: 37.6 years
- Senior population (65 years and older): 14%
- Sex ratio: 51% female to 49% male
- Educational attainment: 19.6% bachelor’s degree or higher (metro: 42.2%)
- Veteran population: 8.6% (metro: 7%)
- Foreign-born population: 13.2% (19.9%)
- Marital status: 44% married (metro: 52%)
- Median household income: $90,372 (metro: $107,206)
- Race and ethnicity: 72% white only, 10% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 1% Black or African American, 1% Pacific Islander and Hawaiian Native, and 7% two or more races
Is Milton WA Safe?
Milton is a safe place to live compared to its larger neighbors, although the crime rate is higher than average. The total crime rate is 4,378 per 100,000 people, 17% higher than the Washington state average and 88% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate in Milton is 439 per 100,000, and the property crime rate is 3,939 per 100,000.
The Tacoma crime rate is 131.9% higher, and the Seattle crime rate is 49.8% higher compared to Milton.
The Milton homicide rate is 0.0 murders per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the national average is 6.3 homicides per 100,000. Seattle has a homicide rate of 7.4, and the Tacoma rate is 18.7 murders per 100,000.
What Is the Cost of Living in Milton WA?
The cost of living in Milton is about 32% higher than the national average. While utilities are slightly lower compared to the national average, you’ll pay more for food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and goods and services.
According to Doxo, the average household in the Tacoma area pays $2,468 in monthly bills, or 16% more than the national average. The typical household spends 37% of their income on bills. Here are the average bills you can expect.
- Auto loan: $442 (national: $496)
- Auto insurance: $191 (national: $209)
- Utilities: $236 (national: $362)
- Health insurance: $136 (national: $114)
- Life insurance: $131 (national: $87)
- Cable and internet: $123
- Cell phone: $121
According to the BLS, households in the Seattle area pay an average of 13.9 cents per kWh for electricity, 21.9% less than the national average. However, the average cost of piped gas ($1.705 per therm) is 21.9% higher than the national average.
How Much Is Housing in Milton?
The Milton WA real estate market is very competitive, with homes selling in 4 median days on the market. The median price of homes for sale in Milton WA is $570,000, up 3.3% year-over-year. If you’re planning to buy a house after moving to Milton WA, you can explore homes for sale on Redfin to see what you can get within your budget.
Going to rent while living in Milton WA? The average apartment rent is $2,126. That’s above average for the U.S. and Tacoma, which has an average rent of $1,686, according to Rentcafe.
Here are the apartment buildings in Milton:
- The Dock at Surprise Lake(1-3 bedrooms): starting at $1,915
- Autumn Village Apartments (2 bedrooms): starting at $1,699
- Sundance Apartment Homes (1-3 bedrooms): starting at $1,725
- Copper Creek (2-3 bedrooms): $2,056
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Milton?
Ready to explore the best places for living in Milton WA? Here are the top communities in Milton for low-maintenance living, a family-friendly atmosphere, or walkability.
- Vista Rainier Condominiums. This community of townhomes features spacious homes with three bedrooms and about 1,400 square feet of space. Each home includes an attached garage with overhead storage and a covered porch.
- Foxtail Farms Condominiums. This quiet condo community has large units with an open concept floor plan, high ceilings, and fireplace, plus a large back patio for entertaining.
- Downtown Milton. The downtown area offers great walkability with nearby parks, shops, and dining. It’s a great place to live for families and singles.
- Milton Community Park area. This area is popular with families thanks to the quiet residential streets, open green spaces, and playgrounds.
What’s the Weather in Milton WA Like?
While living in Milton WA, you’ll enjoy a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with four seasons. Winters are rainy but mild, while summers are warm and dry. The average temperature ranges from the 40s in the winter to the 70s in the summer. You’ll get 40″ of average rainfall, about average for the U.S., and just 5″ of annual snowfall.
The best time to visit Milton is late summer to early fall, or July to September, for pleasant, dry weather.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Milton Washington?
Milton may be small, but there are a variety of attractions and amenities for residents. While living in Milton WA, you’ll enjoy convenient shopping at Surprise Lake Square, picturesque views, hiking trails, and more. Here are just some of the best things to do in Milton.
Milton Community Park
Also known as Triangle Park, this beautiful 10-acre park is home to a softball field, lighted tennis courts, the Kemper Playfield, and a large playground that was recently renovated. It hosts the annual Milton Days community event.
Milton Community Park, Milton Way & 15th Avenue, 1400 15th Ave, Milton, WA 98354 (253) 922-8733
Surprise Lake
This small lake never freezes, thanks to an underground spring. It’s in the middle of a residential area and surrounded by homes with no sidewalks or roads leading right to the lake, but it’s one of the most picturesque areas of the city.
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Milton Skate Park
The Milltown Commons features a 7,000-square-foot bowl with a depth of four to nine feet and an over-vertical clam shell. There’s also a 3,000-square-foot street course with rails, ledges, china banks, and other features.
Milton Skate Park, 903 23rd Ave, Milton, WA 98354
Milton Interurban Trail
This scenic, paved recreational trail offers a great view as it winds through the city from 70th Avenue (Pierce County) to Military Road (King County). It will eventually connect to the main segment from Tukwila to Pacific, and the segment in Fife will connect from Tacoma to Puyallup.
Other things to do near Milton WA:
- Wild Waves Theme and Water Park (Federal Way)
- Jupiter Tennis Center (Edgewood)
- Nelson Nature Park (Edgewood)
- Dacca Park Sports Complex (Fife)
What Are the Top Restaurants in Milton?
From coffee shops and steakhouses to small-town taverns, grills, and Japanese restaurants, there are tons of great Milton restaurants and eateries to explore. Here are some of the best places to visit while living in Milton WA.
The Mill Steakhouse + Spirits
Located in Surprise Lake Square, this steakhouse and sports bar offers an American bistro menu and a large selection of cocktails.
The Mill Steakhouse + Spirits, 900 Meridian Ave E #50, Milton, WA 98354 (253) 931-4936
Dave’s of Milton
This fun and laid-back destination is the perfect place to unwind with friends on the weekend. Dave’s features karaoke, live music, and comedy shoes with classic Mexican and American dishes.
Dave’s of Milton, 1502 11th Ave, Milton, WA 98354 (253) 926-8707
Uptown Koffee and Kafe
You’ll love your local coffee shop, which has an impressive breakfast and lunch menu and brews every drink “one cup at a time.”
Uptown Koffee and Kafe, 2700 Milton Way, Milton, WA 98354 (253) 922-9760
Are There Good Jobs in Milton WA?
The primary industries in the Milton area are government, education, retail, and healthcare. Many residents also commute to nearby cities like Tacoma for other employment opportunities.
Ready to explore job opportunities before living in Milton WA? You can start with jobs in Milton WA on Indeed and check out City of Milton jobs.
What Are the Major Employers in Milton WA?
The largest employers in the Milton area are:
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- Amazon sorting and distribution centers in Sumner and Fife
- Boeing (operations in Auburn and Puyallup)
- Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (hospital, clinic, and care locations)
- MultiCare Health System (hospitals, clinics, urgent care, and primary care services)
- Emerald Queen Casino
- State of Washington
- Pierce County
- Puyallup School District
- Pierce College
- University of Puget Sound
- Tacoma Community College
- City of Tacoma & Tacoma Public Utilities
What Is the Average Income in Milton?
The average hourly wage in the Tacoma metro area is $41.60 compared to the national average of $31.48. According to the BLS, the average weekly wage is $2,188 in the metro area, $1,336 in Pierce County, and $2,504 in King County.
The median household income is $90,372, nearly the same as the state median but 80% of the Seattle-Tacoma metro area’s median income of $107,206.
Does Milton WA Have Good Public Schools?
Milton’s public schools are generally well-regarded, offering a supportive learning environment and one of the state’s best high schools. Families living in Milton WA are served by the Fife School District, known for its quality education. Students attend the following schools:
- Fife High School, ranked #99 in Washington State
- Surprise Lake Middle School, ranked #298
- Endeavour Intermediate School
- Discovery Primary School
For higher education, Milton is within 10 miles of the University of Washington Tacoma Campus, Green River Community College, Pierce College at Puyallup, and the University of Puget Sound.
Milton WA Statistics & Information
- Milton WA county: Pierce & King
- Milton area: 2.8 square miles
- Milton WA zip code: 98354
- Milton area code: 253
- Milton WA elevation: 305 feet
- Milton time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Milton WA: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), 13.7 miles away
Milton, WA Map
Is Living in Milton WA Right for You?
Are you ready to enjoy everything living in Milton WA has to offer? All Ready Moving & Storage is here to help with a seamless moving experience! Call the best Milton movers today at (360) 284-2447 to get started with a free, personalized moving quote.
