Cost of Living in Tacoma, WA
| Cost of Living in Tacoma, WA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 19% higher | 54% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 1% lower | 8% lower |
| Food | 0% | 12% higher |
| Healthcare | 3% higher | 23% higher |
| Transportation | 0% | 28% higher |
| Goods & Services | 5% higher | 18% higher |
The cost of living in Tacoma, WA is 8% higher than the state average and 26% higher than the national average. Tacoma, WA housing is 54% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 8% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 18% more in Tacoma, WA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 18% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 23% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 18% pricier in Tacoma, WA.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Tacoma is $1,686, while home prices circle around $812,639.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Tacoma, energy bills cost around $166.02 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.93 in Tacoma, a dozen eggs go for around $4.52 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.45.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Tacoma, an optometry check-up costs around $192.55, while a dentist appointment is priced $129.86 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.48 in Tacoma, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $69.23.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $50.03 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $46.41.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Tacoma, you should budget around $12.82 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $26.70, while dry cleaning costs about $24.06.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Tacoma, the median household income is $79,085.