Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs New Haven, CT (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

New Haven

Connecticut
95

Tacoma is 33% more expensive than New Haven.

$1,597/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,442/mo ↓ 10%
$83,857/yr ↑ 56%
Median Income
$53,771/yr ↓ 36%
$454,600 ↑ 83%
Home Value
$249,000 ↓ 45%
$1,747/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,520/mo ↓ 13%
220,482
Population
132,893

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.99%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.92%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and New Haven, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $155/month cheaper in New Haven, saving renters about $1,860/year.

Median household income is $30,086/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $249,000 in New Haven.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Tacoma residents a significant tax advantage over Connecticut's 6.99% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs New Haven — common questions

Is Tacoma or New Haven cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, New Haven is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and New Haven?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in New Haven it's $1,442/month — a difference of $155/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or New Haven?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $53,771 in New Haven. Median household income is $30,086/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Connecticut?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or New Haven?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/mo, while New Haven has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,442/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tacoma details → View New Haven details →

More Comparisons

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