Tacoma WA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 59.4% | 39.1% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 4.1% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 11.6% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.5% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.5% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $580,173 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 41.1% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 24.0% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 32.8 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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