Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 77.1% | 59.4% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 13.1% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.3% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 56.5% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 383 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3409 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 37.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.9% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.7% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 16.8% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.9% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 53.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 39.2 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 31.1 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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