Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Tacoma, WA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Tacoma

Washington
126

San Francisco is 112% more expensive than Tacoma.

$2,419/mo ↑ 51%
Median Rent
$1,597/mo ↓ 34%
$141,446/yr ↑ 69%
Median Income
$83,857/yr ↓ 41%
$1,380,500 ↑ 204%
Home Value
$454,600 ↓ 67%
$2,620/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$1,747/mo ↓ 33%
836,321
Population
220,482

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Tacoma, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $822/month cheaper in Tacoma, saving renters about $9,864/year.

Median household income is $57,589/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $454,600 in Tacoma.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Tacoma residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Tacoma — common questions

Is San Francisco or Tacoma cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tacoma is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Tacoma?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Tacoma it's $1,597/month — a difference of $822/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Tacoma?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $83,857 in Tacoma. Median household income is $57,589/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Tacoma?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,597/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Tacoma details →

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