Renton, WA vs Tacoma, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Tacoma is 19.5% cheaper than Renton. With a cost index of 125 vs 150, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Tacoma to Renton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Renton is $1,923/month compared to $1,597/month in Tacoma — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tacoma is more affordable at $454,600 median vs $631,400.

Median household income in Renton is $96,626 compared to $83,857 in Tacoma (+15.2%). The higher salaries in Renton partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Renton spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 22.9% in Tacoma.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.6°F vs 51.9°F). Tacoma receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 34.7" in Renton.