Tacoma WA vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 119,508 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 40.2 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 59.4% | 44.0% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.5% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 2.5% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $69,261 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $44,508 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.4% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.8% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 50.2% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.7% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.9% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 75.4°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 62.3 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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