Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 220,482 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.3 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 12.2% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 39.9% | 10.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 13.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 33.5% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $496,966 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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