Tacoma WA vs Tallahassee FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 199,696 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 8.0% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.4% | 50.7% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.5% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 4.0% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 8.6% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $55,931 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $35,704 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.5% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 23.2% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 39.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 20.3% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.2% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 67.6°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 58.1 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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