Cost of Living in Tacoma

Summary of cost of living in Tacoma, WA, United States:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $4,849.4, excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $1,341.1, excluding rent.
  • Tacoma is 9.3% more expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Tacoma is, on average, 16.4% higher than in Columbus.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $25.00 15.00-30.00
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $80.00 70.00-125.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $12.00 10.00-16.50
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) $7.00 4.99-9.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $7.00 4.49-12.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size) $5.71 4.00-9.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) $3.17 3.00-4.00
Bottled Water (12 oz) $2.58 2.00-3.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.12 0.92-1.59
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) $3.75 1.83-6.36
White Rice (1 lb) $2.67 1.50-6.00
Eggs (12, Large Size) $6.05 2.53-8.00
Local Cheese (1 lb) $7.33 4.99-11.00
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) $10.06 3.86-15.67
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) $10.48 7.00-12.32
Apples (1 lb) $2.27 1.00-8.00
Bananas (1 lb) $0.78 0.59-1.59
Oranges (1 lb) $1.91 1.50-2.00
Tomatoes (1 lb) $2.09 1.50-2.79
Potatoes (1 lb) $1.23 0.50-4.00
Onions (1 lb) $1.35 0.80-2.00
Lettuce (1 Head) $1.77 1.00-2.59
Bottled Water (50 oz) $3.32 2.00-6.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $18.50 10.00-38.77
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) $1.73 1.50-2.83
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $4.86 2.51-9.00
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $12.06 10.00-19.56
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $2.00 2.00-3.00
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $62.00 40.00-105.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $2.60 2.60-3.00
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) $2.70 2.70-8.90
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $30.00 30.00-75.00
Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.28 1.04-1.50
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $36,934.07 36,318.00-37,550.15
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $27,776.42 25,770.00-34,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $229.80 100.00-400.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $92.00 25.00-180.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $93.75 75.00-150.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership $33.75 20.00-150.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $18.33 0.00-30.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) $17.00 13.00-20.00
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $2,104.17 2,104.17-2,250.00
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $32,020.83 27,000.00-33,025.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $61.00 55.00-70.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $44.50 25.00-65.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $81.00 65.00-100.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes $127.25 95.00-200.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,727.50 1,500.00-1,990.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,432.00 1,250.00-2,000.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $2,827.50 2,500.00-6,000.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $2,416.00 2,130.00-4,000.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre $447.19 437.01-450.58
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $329.69 268.49-437.01
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $4,874.33
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 6.09 6.00-6.25

Prices in Tacoma, Washington

This city had 206 entries in the past 12 months by 29 different contributors.
Last update: 5 June 2026
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Tacoma? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Tacoma.
  
  
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