Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Tacoma?

Tacoma, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Tacoma?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Tacoma?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Boston vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Tacoma, WA is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 12% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$1,178

+38% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$1,332

+33% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$1,693

+21% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$2,094

+6% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$454,600

+36% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$83,857

+12% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$72,610

+9% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

37.3 yr

+4.1 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

35.4%

56.5%

+21.1 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

33.5%

+20.6 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

29.0 min

+1.2 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

1,064.4

+69% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

2,030.8

5,695.2

+180% in Tacoma, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

52.1°F

+0.6°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

43.0 in

+0.8 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Massachusetts vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.8

14.9

+48% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.39

$20.41

+35% in Boston, MA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / WA)

6.25%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

None

+9.0 pp in MA

Boston vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Tacoma?: Tacoma, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Tacoma?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).