Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Tacoma is 19% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,597/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 9%
$83,857/yr ↑ 56%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 36%
$454,600 ↑ 36%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 26%
$1,747/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 11%
220,482
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.92%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $140/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $1,680/year.

Median household income is $30,091/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Tacoma residents a significant tax advantage over New Jersey's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Paterson — common questions

Is Tacoma or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Paterson?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $140/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Paterson?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $30,091/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and New Jersey?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tacoma details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

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