CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Fresno is moderately cheaper than Tacoma — 8.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $87,000 in Tacoma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+58.1%
Fresno
95.7
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries1.1%
Fresno
105.2
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation+6.6%
Fresno
105.3
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+6.5%
Fresno
95.3
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities42.4%
Fresno
161
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fresno to see what you'd need to earn in Tacoma to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$87,000
$7,000 more needed in Tacoma

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 1.0871. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Tacoma has 58.1% higher housing costs compared to Fresno.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Tacoma, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.