New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
New York
35.9%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 220,482 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 12.2% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 22.7% | 10.5% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 8.8% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 13.1% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | New York, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $44,756 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 33.5% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | New York, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | New York, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | New York, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 37.3% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.7% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | New York, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | New York, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 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 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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