Tacoma wins overall by ~24% (COL index)
Cost of living: Tacoma vs Seattle (2026)
A $84,500 salary in Tacoma buys roughly what $111,184 does in Seattle (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$9,963/yr
Favoring Tacoma for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $830/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~19 months and still keep ~$100/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 | Tacoma Washington | Seattle Washington | Who wins | Your impact at $85K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500Wins | $1,900 | Tacoma wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Tacoma |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900Wins | $2,400 | Tacoma wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Tacoma |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600Wins | $3,300 | Tacoma wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Tacoma |
| Median home price | $500KWins | $750K | Tacoma wins +$250K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 105Better | 108 | Tacoma wins +3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15Wins | $18 | Tacoma wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $62Better | $70 | Tacoma wins +$8/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $90Better | $100 | Tacoma wins +$10/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $4.10Better | $4.20 | Tacoma wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $155Better | $160 | Tacoma wins +$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $118Better | $120 | Tacoma wins +$2/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $63Better | $65 | Tacoma wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72K | $97KWins | Seattle wins +$25K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.1%Better | 10.3% | Tacoma wins +0.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $17.00 | Tacoma wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $48Wins | $60 | Tacoma wins +$12/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Wins | $8.00 | Tacoma wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 114Wins | 150 | Tacoma wins +36 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 54 | 73Wins | Seattle wins +19 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
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
Park ~$6,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
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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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.
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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 Tacoma cheaper than Seattle?
Yes. Tacoma is 24% cheaper than Seattle based on overall cost of living indices (114 vs 150, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Tacoma vs Seattle?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Tacoma is $1,900/month and in Seattle is $2,400/month. Tacoma is cheaper by 21%.
How much do I need to earn in Seattle to match a $75,000 salary in Tacoma?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $98,684/year in Seattle to match a $75,000 salary in Tacoma. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Tacoma or Seattle?
Seattle has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Seattle 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 Tacoma to Seattle?
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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Salary equivalent: Tacoma ↔ Seattle
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