Median rent is 4% lower in Bell ($1,538/mo vs $1,597/mo). Buying is cheaper in Tacoma, where the median home runs $454,600 versus $561,400. Households earn more in Tacoma ($83,857 vs $60,641 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (114.0).
City A
Bell, CA
City B
Tacoma, WA
How much would you need to earn in Tacoma, WA to maintain your standard of living from Bell, CA?
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bell
California
Tacoma
Washington
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,538/mo in Bell and $1,597/mo in Tacoma. Median home values are within 19% of each other: $561,400 in Bell and $454,600 in Tacoma.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Washington has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Tacoma a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 6.50% in Washington; Tacoma has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bell
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Tacoma
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.50%
Air quality data is available for Tacoma (avg AQI 16.0) but not yet for Bell.
Pick Tacoma if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,857/yr).
Pick Tacoma if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Bell cheaper than Tacoma?
Bell is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 114.0 versus 114.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Bell.
How much is rent in Bell vs Tacoma?
Median rent is $1,538/mo in Bell, CA and $1,597/mo in Tacoma, WA. Bell, CA has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Bell or Tacoma?
Median household income is $60,641 in Bell, CA and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA. Tacoma, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bell or Tacoma?
Washington has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Tacoma to match my Bell income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bell, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Tacoma, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology