Tacoma wins overall by ~3% (COL index)
Cost of living: Scottsdale vs Tacoma (2026)
A $78,500 salary in Scottsdale buys roughly what $76,487 does in Tacoma (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$3,200/yr
Favoring Tacoma for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $267/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~57 months and still keep ~$32/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Scottsdale Arizona | Tacoma Washington | Who wins | Your impact at $79K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,600 | $1,500Better | Tacoma wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Tacoma |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,000 | $1,900Better | Tacoma wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Tacoma |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,700 | $2,600Better | Tacoma wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Tacoma |
| Median home price | $650K | $500KWins | Tacoma wins −$150K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 104Better | 105 | Scottsdale wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15Better | $15 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $62Better | $62 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $90 | Scottsdale wins +$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Scottsdale |
| Gas price/gal | $3.25Wins | $4.10 | Scottsdale wins +$0.85 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $158 | $155Better | Tacoma wins −$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $215 | $118Wins | Tacoma wins −$97/mo | $1,164/yr saves in Tacoma |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $63Better | Tacoma wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $85KWins | $72K | Scottsdale wins −$13K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5% | 0.0%Wins | Tacoma wins -2.5 pp | $1,963/yr saves in Tacoma |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.6%Wins | 10.1% | Scottsdale wins +1.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $16.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $48Better | $48 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 117 | 114Better | Tacoma wins -3 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 40 | 54Wins | Tacoma wins +14 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,968/yr tax difference into cash back
Tacoma fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Tacoma.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scottsdale cheaper than Tacoma?
No. Tacoma is 3% cheaper than Scottsdale based on overall cost of living indices (114 vs 117, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Scottsdale vs Tacoma?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Scottsdale is $2,000/month and in Tacoma is $1,900/month. Scottsdale is more expensive by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in Tacoma to match a $75,000 salary in Scottsdale?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $73,077/year in Tacoma to match a $75,000 salary in Scottsdale. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Scottsdale or Tacoma?
Tacoma has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 2.5%. Tacoma has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Scottsdale to Tacoma?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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