Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs Gresham, OR (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Gresham

Oregon
119

Tacoma is 6% more expensive than Gresham.

$1,597/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,508/mo ↓ 6%
$83,857/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$73,608/yr ↓ 12%
$454,600 ↑ 3%
Home Value
$440,000 ↓ 3%
$1,747/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,590/mo ↓ 9%
220,482
Population
112,818

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.9%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Gresham, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $89/month cheaper in Gresham, saving renters about $1,068/year.

Median household income is $10,249/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $440,000 in Gresham.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Tacoma residents a significant tax advantage over Oregon's 9.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Gresham — common questions

Is Tacoma or Gresham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Gresham is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Gresham?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Gresham it's $1,508/month — a difference of $89/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Gresham?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $73,608 in Gresham. Median household income is $10,249/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Oregon?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Gresham?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/mo, while Gresham has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,508/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tacoma details → View Gresham details →

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