Tacoma WA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
Westland
9.2%
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 84,155 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.2 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.4% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 10.5% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 3.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 5.0% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $62,216 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $33,816 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,052 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 13.3% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 21.7% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 471 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 20.0% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.6% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westland, MI | 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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