Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Tacoma is 77% more expensive than Abilene.

$1,597/mo ↑ 44%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 31%
$83,857/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 25%
$454,600 ↑ 154%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 61%
$1,747/mo ↑ 57%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 36%
220,482
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.92%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $491/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $5,892/year.

Median household income is $21,137/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Abilene — common questions

Is Tacoma or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Abilene?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $491/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Abilene?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $21,137/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Texas?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tacoma details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

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