($1,528) Movers From Washington DC, MD to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Washington DC to Tacoma

Moving from Washington DC to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma is generally more expensive than Washington DC, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tacoma are 31% lower than in Washington DC, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Tacoma.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 19.7% lower than in Washington DC.
• Income in Tacoma is 27.9% lower than in Washington DC, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tacoma include Joint Base Lewis-McChord, MultiCare Health System, and State of Washington.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tacoma, since the cost of living for a single person in Tacoma is 4.3% higher than in Washington DC. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Tacoma is 34.6% lower than in Washington DC.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 4.29% higher than in Washington DC.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 71.67% higher than in Washington DC.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Washington DC.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,128.69 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.

How life is different in Washington DC vs. Tacoma

• Tacoma might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 68% less than Washington DC.
• Getting around Tacoma without a car might be more difficult than in Washington DC. Tacoma has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Washington DC is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Tacoma neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Washington DC. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tacoma isn’t as walkable as Washington DC, which has a score of 77 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Tacoma, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Washington DC. While Washington DC has a bike-friendliness score of 70 out of 100, Tacoma earned a 48. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Tacoma has a lower crime rate than Washington DC based on scores of 55.55 and Washington DC's 60.37, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Tacoma than in Washington DC, based on Tacoma’s safety index of 44.45 versus 39.63 for Washington DC. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Tacoma and Washington DC is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Washington DC vs. Tacoma move

• Weather: Tacoma has one of the best weather in the state of Washington which is a desirable feature for residence. Humidity in Tacoma is generally tolerable. The most humid months are August, July and September which are the best months to schedule a move to avoid rainfall and snow.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Washington moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Washington doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Tacoma. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
• Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Tacoma

Ready to relocate to "America’s #1 Wired City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Tacoma.

Helpful moving resources