Cost of Living in Tacoma, WA, United States

RESTAURANTS

There are tons of restaurants in Tacoma.

On every corner, you’ll find Mexican food, Italian food, Indian food, Chinese food, Japanese food, Korean food, and all different kinds of fast food, all on 6th Avenue.

You can just drive up 6th Avenue and you’ll find something you like.

Eating out is more expensive than what’s considered the norm in America, though.

A meal in an inexpensive restaurant is 20$.

MARKETS

There are grocery stores all over the place, not to mention fast food joints and 7–11’s.

Tacoma also has and hosts numerous street fairs, night markets, and farmer’s markets, where you can mostly find fresh produce, like fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, and all other kinds of exquisite groceries.

TRANSPORTATION

There’s a well-organized system of buses operated by Pierce Transit in Tacoma, within the city limits and around them.

You can hail any taxi you see in the street with the green light on.

Many people living here don’t even use public transport and their transport costs are down to zero – they use bikes or go on foot.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Tacoma Public Utilities are in charge of your bills.

The good thing about them is that your bill will cover power, water, sewer, garbage, and storm drain, and only comes once every two months.

For an apartment of about 85m2, your bills would amount to up to 207.42$.

Internet is expensive as well, amounting to around 63$ a month.

SPORTS & LEISURE

You can find many types of outdoor activities in Tacoma, and that can save you a lot of money you would otherwise spend on a gym.

However, if you prefer indoor spaces, a gym membership will probably cost you around 52$ a month which is very reasonable relative to US standards.

CLOTHING & SHOES

The Tacoma Mall offers enough stores (and eateries) to keep even the most picky shopper happy.

There’s also the Proctor District in the North End and it also offers a quaint shopping experience.

The prices are relatively low – quality jeans cost around 51$, while summer dresses and shirts are around 54$.

Quality sneakers are more expensive, standing at around 80$.

RENT PER MONTH

Rent and real estate are a little cheaper in Tacoma than in Seattle.

The rents are generally reasonable for a big city, but they’re high, just like anywhere.

As with everywhere else, the better suburbs around the city come with higher price tags than you might see in other suburbs.

The city center is the most expensive, with apartments there costing around 1,741.67$.