Tacoma WA vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 59.4% | 51.8% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.5% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 4.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $71,302 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.9% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 50.2% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.5% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.9% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 73.4°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 46.3 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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