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

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Palmdale

California
130

Tacoma is 3% cheaper than Palmdale.

$1,597/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↑ 9%
$83,857/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↓ 3%
$454,600 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$435,300 ↓ 4%
$1,747/mo ↓ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↑ 5%
220,482
Population
165,487

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $139/month cheaper in Tacoma, saving renters about $1,668/year.

Median household income is $2,706/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Palmdale — common questions

Is Tacoma or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tacoma is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Palmdale?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $139/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Palmdale?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $2,706/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and California?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tacoma details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

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