Tacoma vs Spokane: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Tacoma, Washington compare to Spokane, Washington? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Spokane is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 45% higher in Tacoma compared to Spokane, while rent is 40% higher.
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Spokane, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $415,300 | $286,900 | +44.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,489 | $1,060 | +40.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $79,085 | $63,316 | +24.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $41,788 | $36,513 | +14.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.3% | 9.3% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 219,234 | 227,922 | -3.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Tacoma
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Spokane
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Tacoma costs $415,300 compared to $286,900 in Spokane — a 45% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,489/mo in Tacoma vs $1,060/mo in Spokane.
- Income: Median household income is $79,085 in Tacoma and $63,316 in Spokane.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).