Tacoma, WA vs Vancouver, WA

Tacoma, WA and Vancouver, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Tacoma scores 125 while Vancouver scores 123 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month compared to $1,632/month in Vancouver — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tacoma has cheaper rent, Vancouver actually has lower median home values ($440,300 vs $454,600).

Median household income in Tacoma is $83,857 compared to $78,156 in Vancouver (+7.3%). While Tacoma is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Tacoma spend roughly 22.9% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in Vancouver.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 54°F). Tacoma receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 37.5" in Vancouver.