Median rent is 17% lower in Tacoma ($1,676/mo vs $2,030/mo). Buying is cheaper in Tacoma, where the median home runs $479,600 versus $938,600. Households earn more in Seattle ($123,860 vs $85,884 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (112.7).
City A
Seattle, WA
City B
Tacoma, WA
How much would you need to earn in Tacoma, WA to maintain your standard of living from Seattle, WA?
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 metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Seattle
Washington
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 rent is modestly lower in Tacoma at $1,676/mo compared to $2,030/mo in Seattle (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Seattle: the median home is $938,600 versus $479,600 in Tacoma — 49% more expensive.
Metric
Seattle
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.
Seattle
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tacoma
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Seattle has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Seattle if you prioritize higher median household income ($123,860/yr).
Pick Tacoma if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,676/mo median).
Seattle is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.7 versus 112.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Seattle.
Median rent is $2,030/mo in Seattle, WA and $1,676/mo in Tacoma, WA. Tacoma, WA has the lower rent by about 17%.
Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle, WA and $85,884 in Tacoma, WA. Seattle, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Seattle, WA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Seattle, WA 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: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
