Tacoma WA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.4 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.1% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.4% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 10.5% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 7.2% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 8.9% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.8% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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