Is it cheaper to live in Lewiston or Tacoma?

Lewiston, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Lewiston or Tacoma?

Lewiston is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Lewiston vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Lewiston

Maine

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Lewiston, ME versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Lewiston, ME is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,558 in Lewiston, ME and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 33% higher in Tacoma, WA. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Lewiston, ME

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$559

$1,178

+111% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$749

$1,332

+78% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,047

$1,693

+62% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,209

$2,094

+73% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$214,200

$454,600

+112% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$56,558

$83,857

+48% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,540

$72,610

+47% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.8 yr

37.3 yr

+0.5 yr in Lewiston, ME

Homeownership

50.3%

56.5%

+6.2 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.7%

33.5%

+11.8 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

20.7 min

29.0 min

+8.3 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

244.5

1,064.4

+335% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

1,616.5

5,695.2

+252% 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

45.8°F

52.1°F

+6.3°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

51.1 in

43.0 in

+8.1 in in Lewiston, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.26/gal

+34% in Tacoma, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.9

+50% in Lewiston, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$21.34

+33% in Lewiston, ME

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 Lewiston, ME

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 (ME / WA)

5.5%

6.5%

+1.0 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

None

+7.2 pp in ME

Lewiston vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lewiston or Tacoma?: Lewiston, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lewiston than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Lewiston versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Lewiston or Tacoma?: Lewiston is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% 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).