Is it cheaper to live in Tacoma or Tampa?

They're close. Tacoma, WA runs about $1,500 a month and Tampa, FL about $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Tacoma or Tampa?

Tacoma is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Tacoma vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,500 in Tacoma, WA versus $1,500 in Tampa, FL. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma, WA and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 15% higher in Tacoma, WA. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Tacoma, WA

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,178

$1,242

+5% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$1,332

$1,324

+1% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,693

$1,673

+1% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,094

$1,729

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$454,600

$375,300

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$83,857

$71,302

+15% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$72,610

$48,940

+33% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.3 yr

35.6 yr

+1.7 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

56.5%

50.2%

+6.3 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

44.6%

+11.1 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

29.0 min

24.7 min

+4.3 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,064.4

443.2

+58% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

5,695.2

1,473.2

+74% 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

52.1°F

73.4°F

+21.3°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

43.0 in

46.3 in

+3.3 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.12/gal

$3.77/gal

+26% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Washington vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

15.2

+1% in Tampa, FL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.41

$23.62

+16% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tampa, FL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WA / FL)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Tacoma vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Tacoma or Tampa?: They're close. Tacoma, WA runs about $1,500 a month and Tampa, FL about $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Tacoma than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Tacoma versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Tacoma or Tampa?: Tacoma is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% 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).