Tacoma WA vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 68,141 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 42.1 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 59.4% | 17.9% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.5% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $523,551 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Vallejo
2388
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Vallejo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Vallejo
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.6% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 36.0 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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