Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 220,482 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.3 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 12.2% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 8.5% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 8.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 13.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $44,756 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 33.5% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 37.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.7% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 39.2 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 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 Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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