Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Tacoma?

Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Salem or Tacoma?

Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Salem vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Salem, OR is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,900 in Salem, OR and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 14% higher in Tacoma, WA. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Salem, OR

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,075

$1,178

+10% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$989

$1,332

+35% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,337

$1,693

+27% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,778

$2,094

+18% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$382,400

$454,600

+19% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$71,900

$83,857

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,310

$72,610

+31% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

55.7%

56.5%

+0.8 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.4%

33.5%

+2.1 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

22.4 min

29.0 min

+6.6 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

540.6

1,064.4

+97% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

2,878.6

5,695.2

+98% 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

53.0°F

52.1°F

+0.9°F in Salem, OR

Annual Precipitation

39.7 in

43.0 in

+3.4 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$5.12/gal

+1% in Tacoma, WA

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

14.9

+8% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$20.41

+1% in Salem, OR

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 (OR / WA)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

None

+9.9 pp in OR

Salem vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Tacoma?: Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Salem than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Salem or Tacoma?: Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% 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).