Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Tacoma?

Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or Tacoma?

Phoenix is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Phoenix vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Phoenix, AZ is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 8% higher in Tacoma, WA. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Phoenix, AZ

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,127

$1,178

+5% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,253

$1,332

+6% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,493

$1,693

+13% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,771

$2,094

+18% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$381,900

$454,600

+19% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$77,041

$83,857

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$72,610

+41% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

37.3 yr

+2.5 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

57.1%

56.5%

+0.6 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.3%

33.5%

+1.2 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

25.7 min

29.0 min

+3.3 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

799.6

1,064.4

+33% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

2,338.9

5,695.2

+143% 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

75.1°F

52.1°F

+23.0°F in Phoenix, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.2 in

43.0 in

+34.8 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$5.12/gal

+1% in Tacoma, WA

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Washington.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — Valley Metro vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

14.9

+2% in Phoenix, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.44

$20.41

+9% in Phoenix, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / WA)

5.6%

6.5%

+0.9 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

None

+2.5 pp in AZ

Phoenix vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Tacoma?: Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Phoenix than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or Tacoma?: Phoenix is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).