Is it cheaper to live in Tacoma or West Valley City?

West Valley City, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Tacoma than in West Valley City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Tacoma versus $48,000 in West Valley City.

Which has lower taxes, Tacoma or West Valley City?

Tacoma is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); West Valley City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Tacoma vs West Valley City Cost of Living 2026

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/mo est.

West Valley City

Utah

$1,330/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 $1,330 in West Valley City, UT. Overall, West Valley City, UT is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma, WA and $88,604 in West Valley City, UT — about 5% higher in West Valley City, UT. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Tacoma, WA

West Valley City, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,178

$1,085

+8% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,332

$1,191

+11% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,693

$1,333

+21% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,094

$1,723

+18% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$454,600

$377,300

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$83,857

$88,604

+6% in West Valley City, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$72,610

$55,240

+24% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.3 yr

30.3 yr

+7.0 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

56.5%

71.1%

+14.6 pp in West Valley City, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

15.7%

+17.8 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

29.0 min

22.2 min

+6.8 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,064.4

471.8

+56% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

5,695.2

1,855.5

+67% 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

52.8°F

+0.7°F in West Valley City, UT

Annual Precipitation

43.0 in

16.1 in

+26.9 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.26/gal

$4.27/gal

+19% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Washington vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

13.4

+10% in Tacoma, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.34

$11.84

+45% in Tacoma, WA

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 (WA / UT)

6.5%

6.1%

+0.4 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.50%

+4.5 pp in UT

Tacoma vs West Valley City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Tacoma or West Valley City?: West Valley City, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Tacoma than in West Valley City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Tacoma versus $48,000 in West Valley City.
Which has lower taxes, Tacoma or West Valley City?: Tacoma is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); West Valley City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).