Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 0.6% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 8.8% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 13.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Escondido +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Escondido + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 37.3% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.7% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 39.2 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 503 in Escondido. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
Compare More Cities
Escondido, CA vs New York, NYEscondido, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Escondido, CAEscondido, CA vs Houston, TXEscondido, CA vs Phoenix, AZEscondido, CA vs Philadelphia, PA