| Index | Tacoma | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 125 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 159 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 113 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 106 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 116 | 117 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Tacoma is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Tacoma is 125, which is 25% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Tacoma is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Tacoma falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Tacoma, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 58.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 21 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Tacoma and this is how they responded. 57% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 43% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Tacoma affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Tacoma, for instance, where the median home price falls 69.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 33.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Tacoma flaunting a median household income of $95,462, 17.4% higher than the national norm.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Tacoma, the utilities index registers 9.4% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Tacoma, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Tacoma, the transportation index is 16.8% higher than the national average.
The Tacoma cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $126,766 | $10,564 | $2,958 | $3,803 |
| Renters | $66,486 | $5,541 | $1,551 | $1,995 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Washington | 6.5% | 10.4% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Washington | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Ketron Island, WA | 0 | 110 | 10.2% |
| Fairwood CDP (Spokane County), WA | 8,331 | 113 | 13.4% |
| North Puyallup, WA | 2,029 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Longbranch, WA | 4,700 | 114 | 14.3% |
| Midland, WA | 9,862 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Tacoma, WA | 223,137 | 125 | 24.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Spokane, WA | 223,638 | 110 | 9.5% |
| Modesto, CA | 222,619 | 130 | 29.9% |
| Richmond, BC | 222,489 | n/a | |
| Des Moines, IA | 221,968 | 91 | 8.5% |
| San Bernardino, CA | 221,910 | 124 | 23.5% |
| Tacoma, WA | 223,137 | 125 | 24.9% |
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