New York, NY vs Tacoma, WA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Tacoma comes out ahead on the two metrics that matter most for relocation math: housing runs 40% cheaper than New York, and median household income runs 5% higher. That combination is uncommon — usually one trades off the other. Tacoma also has no state income tax, while the other state tops out at 10.9% — a meaningful annual difference at higher income levels.
Median Home Value
$751,700
$454,600 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$812,534
$486,501
Median Gross Rent
$1,779/mo
$1,597/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
32.8%
56.5%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
35.2x
23.7x
Median Household Income
$79,713
$83,857 ✓
Per Capita Income
$50,776
$44,756
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
5.3% ✓
Poverty Rate
17.4%
12.0%
Avg Commute (min)
44.8 min
31.4 min
Drove Alone %
21.9%
67.1%
Public Transit %
45.5%
4.7%
Work From Home %
15.0%
13.7%
State Income Tax
10.9%
None
Total Sales Tax
8.5% ✓
9.2%
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
1.0%
Bachelor's Degree %
23.6%
21.0%
Median Age
38
37.3
Avg High Temp
62.6°F
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
49.5"
42"
Annual Snowfall
29.8"
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New York, NY 1 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
Tacoma, WA 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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