Tacoma WA vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 102,558 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 7.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.4% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 10.5% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 2.7% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $58,568 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $31,987 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.4% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 25.0% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.6% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.8% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.9% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 63.4°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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