Tacoma WA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 115,546 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.5 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 8.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.4% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 10.5% | 1.2% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 4.7% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $528,447 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Westminster
3234
Westminster +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Westminster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.1% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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