Honolulu HI 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)
Honolulu, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$760,355
- 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
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 220,482 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 59.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Honolulu
$63,296
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $83,857 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $44,756 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,296 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 33.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Honolulu
$760,355
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $760,355 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 56.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
276
Honolulu +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Honolulu
2592
Honolulu +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 276 | 383 | Honolulu + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2592 | 3409 | Honolulu + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
77.7°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Honolulu
17.1 in
Honolulu +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 77.7°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 39.2 in | Honolulu + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Honolulu
3.3 µg/m³
Honolulu +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Honolulu
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Honolulu + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Honolulu
N/A
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Honolulu, HI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 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, Honolulu is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Honolulu has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³).
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