Tacoma vs Arlington

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Washington salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Tacoma vs Arlington

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Tacoma has a housing index of 140 while Arlington sits at 86 (national average = 100). The median home in Tacoma costs $400,000 compared to $260,000 in Arlington, a difference of $140,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Tacoma versus $1,300 in Arlington.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Tacoma scores 105 while Arlington scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Tacoma (106) are higher than Arlington (100). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Tacoma is $58,974 compared to $60,138 in Arlington. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Arlington.

Relocating: Tacoma vs Arlington

If you are considering a move between Tacoma (index: 117) and Arlington (index: 96), the 18% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Arlington is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Tacoma can afford $1,376/month, while the median household in Arlington can afford $1,403/month. With median homes at $400,000 in Tacoma versus $260,000 in Arlington, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,600/month in Tacoma and $1,300/month in Arlington, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Arlington where costs are 4% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Tacoma (117) vs Arlington (96)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Tacoma at 117 is 17% above the US average, while Arlington at 96 is 4% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Tacoma costs meaningfully more than Arlington, with a 21-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Tacoma scores 140 and Arlington scores 86. That 54-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Arlington with indices of 86 versus 140. Median home prices of $400,000 in Tacoma and $260,000 in Arlington underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,600/month in Tacoma and $1,300/month in Arlington, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $140,000 difference in median home prices between Tacoma and Arlington translates to roughly $8,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Amazon affiliate links