Lakewood vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Tacoma
The Verdict
Tacoma is 13.7% less expensive than Lakewood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lakewood would need approximately $65,977 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $65,977 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $85,256 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $400,000. The $174,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,316 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $499/month in Tacoma. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 85 in Lakewood and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $432 in Tacoma. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 106 in Tacoma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $50,405 respectively. Lakewood residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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