Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.3 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 21.6% | 10.5% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 13.1% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.3% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 33.5% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $496,966 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 37.3% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.9% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 31.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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