Tacoma WA vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 192,696 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.5 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 59.4% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 10.5% | 3.1% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Vancouver
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $78,156 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $42,839 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.6% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 31.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $510,577 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 49.9% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Vancouver
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Vancouver
3409
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 19.1% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.4% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 41.6 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
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, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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