Centennial CO 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)

Centennial, CO

Colorado · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$650,791
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

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
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Centennial
$76,653
Centennial +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
33.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Centennial
$650,791
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
56.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
512
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
3234
Centennial +
Tacoma
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
23.1%
Centennial +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
7.3%
Centennial +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Centennial
13.9%
Centennial +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Centennial
6.9%
Centennial +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Centennial
18.5%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Centennial
8.0%
Centennial +
Tacoma
11.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
49.6°F
Centennial +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
17.4 in
Centennial +
Tacoma
39.2 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Centennial
6.2 µg/m³
Centennial +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Centennial
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Centennial
N/A
Tacoma
31.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

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 512 in Centennial. Centennial has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Centennial scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.

Compare More Cities

About Centennial & Tacoma