CostIndexUSA

Seattle, WA vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostWA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent
WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Seattle and Tacoma have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Seattle
151.3
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Seattle
104
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Seattle
112.2
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Seattle
101.5
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities≈ Equal
Seattle
92.8
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$80,000
Same salary works in both cities

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 111.1) = salary × 1.0000. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Seattle, WA

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

Tacoma, WA

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

Income & Job Market

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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).

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.