CostIndexUSA

Salt Lake City, UT vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableUT
Salt Lake City
100.9
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Salt Lake City is moderately cheaper than Tacoma — 10.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Salt Lake City, you would need $88,100 in Tacoma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+22.7%
Salt Lake City
123.3
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries+7.9%
Salt Lake City
96.4
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation+8.0%
Salt Lake City
103.9
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+8.0%
Salt Lake City
94
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities+17.5%
Salt Lake City
79
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$88,100
$8,100 more needed in Tacoma

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 1.1011. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Home Price
$554,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
123.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.3×

Tacoma, WA

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

Tacoma has 22.7% higher housing costs compared to Salt Lake City.

Income & Job Market

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Household Income
$94,400
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
200,567
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareFinanceTourismGovernment

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).

Salt Lake City, UT
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.