City Comparison

Tacoma vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Tacoma

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

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

27.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.2%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Tacoma has equivalent purchasing power to $58,974 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
140
Tacoma
82
Yuma
Groceries
105
Tacoma
101
Yuma
Utilities
108
Tacoma
102
Yuma
Transportation
108
Tacoma
97
Yuma
Healthcare
106
Tacoma
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Tacoma has the same purchasing power as $58,974 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $95,380 in Tacoma.

Living in Tacoma vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Tacoma's housing index of 140 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $284,000. The $116,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Tacoma compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Tacoma and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Tacoma vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 108 in Tacoma and 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Tacoma vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Tacoma and 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $58,974 in Tacoma and $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,405 and $58,804 respectively. Yuma residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,376/month to housing in Tacoma vs $1,262/month in Yuma. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 27.2% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Tacoma has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,974 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Tacoma's housing index is 140 with median homes at $400,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases