City Comparison

Springdale vs Tacoma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

Tacoma

Washington
117
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$58,974
Median Income

The Verdict

25.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.6%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to $100,862 in Tacoma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
86
Springdale
140
Tacoma
Groceries
97
Springdale
105
Tacoma
Utilities
93
Springdale
108
Tacoma
Transportation
91
Springdale
108
Tacoma
Healthcare
82
Springdale
106
Tacoma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springdale has the same purchasing power as $100,862 in Tacoma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $55,769 in Springdale.

Living in Springdale vs Tacoma

Housing Costs

Springdale's housing index of 86 is lower Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $299,000 vs $400,000. The $101,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,564 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Springdale compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Springdale and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Springdale vs $499/month in Tacoma. Springdale offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Springdale and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Springdale 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 82 in Springdale and 106 in Tacoma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,100 in Springdale and $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,379 and $50,405 respectively. Springdale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,449/month to housing in Springdale vs $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/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 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 25.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,862 in Tacoma, based on the cost of living difference.
Springdale's housing index is 86 with median homes at $299,000, while Tacoma's is 140 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases