Chicago, IL vs Tacoma, WA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Housing in Tacoma runs about 31% above Chicago, but Tacoma earns more at the median (10% higher), partly offsetting the cost difference — the standard tradeoff between cost and earnings that shapes most US city-to-city moves. Tacoma also has no state income tax, while the other state tops out at 5.0% — a meaningful annual difference at higher income levels.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$454,600
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$486,501
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,597/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
56.5%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
23.7x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$83,857 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$44,756
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
5.3% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
12.0%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
31.4 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
67.1%
Public Transit %
19.3%
4.7%
Work From Home %
18.3%
13.7%
State Income Tax
5.0%
None
Total Sales Tax
8.7% ✓
9.2%
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
1.0%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
21.0%
Median Age
35.7
37.3
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
42"
Chicago, IL 3 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
Tacoma, WA 2 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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