CostIndexUSA

Irvine, CA vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Tacoma is slightly cheaper than Irvine — 2.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $78,200 in Tacoma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing11.2%
Irvine
170.4
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries2.4%
Irvine
106.6
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Irvine
109.6
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+2.4%
Irvine
99.1
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities41.5%
Irvine
158.6
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$78,200
$1,800 less needed in Tacoma

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9780. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Tacoma, WA

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

Irvine has 11.2% lower housing costs compared to Tacoma.

Income & Job Market

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

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).

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.