Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Tacoma?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Tacoma?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Dover vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 30% higher in Tacoma, WA. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$993

$1,178

+19% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$1,332

+27% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$1,693

+43% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$2,094

+28% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$454,600

+83% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$83,857

+44% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$72,610

+56% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.3 yr

+2.2 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

47.0%

56.5%

+9.5 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

33.5%

+6.4 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

24.0 min

29.0 min

+5.0 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

1,064.4

+4% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

6,159.1

5,695.2

+8% in Dover, DE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

52.1°F

+4.8°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

43.0 in

+3.0 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.26/gal

+34% in Tacoma, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.3

14.9

+23% in Dover, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$21.34

+28% in Dover, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Dover, DE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (DE / WA)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

None

+6.6 pp in DE

Dover vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Tacoma?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Tacoma?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).