Irving vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Tacoma
The Verdict
Living in Irving costs 14.5% less than Tacoma. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Irving, you would need $87,750 in Tacoma.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $87,750 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $64,103 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $400,000. The $82,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,328 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $499/month in Tacoma. Irving offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $432 in Tacoma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 106 in Tacoma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $50,405 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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