Austin TX vs Tacoma WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 220,482 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.3 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 12.2% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 59.4% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 13.1% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $83,857 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $44,756 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.3% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 33.5% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.3% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.7% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 39.2 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 31.1 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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