Median rent is 4% lower in Palm Bay ($1,601/mo vs $1,676/mo). Buying is cheaper in Palm Bay, where the median home runs $283,200 versus $479,600. Households earn more in Tacoma ($85,884 vs $72,614 a year). Taken together, Tacoma is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.7 against 113.7 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tacoma, WA.
Cost of living verdict
Tacoma is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 112.7 in Tacoma vs 113.7 in Palm Bay (US national average = 100)
City A
Palm Bay, FL
City B
Tacoma, WA
How much would you need to earn in Tacoma, WA to maintain your standard of living from Palm Bay, FL?
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$74,371
You could earn $629 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Palm Bay
Florida
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,601/mo in Palm Bay and $1,676/mo in Tacoma. Home buyers face a steeper market in Tacoma: the median home is $479,600 versus $283,200 in Palm Bay — 41% more expensive.
Metric
Palm Bay
Tacoma
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Palm Bay
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tacoma
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Tacoma (avg AQI 54.0) but not yet for Palm Bay.
Pick Tacoma if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,884/yr).
Tacoma is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.7 versus 113.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Tacoma.
Median rent is $1,601/mo in Palm Bay, FL and $1,676/mo in Tacoma, WA. Palm Bay, FL has the lower rent by about 4%.
Median household income is $72,614 in Palm Bay, FL and $85,884 in Tacoma, WA. Tacoma, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Palm Bay, FL is equivalent to roughly $99,161 in Tacoma, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
