($1,633) Movers From Billings, MT to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Billings to Tacoma

Moving from Billings to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma is generally more expensive than Billings, 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 27% higher than in Billings, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Billings.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 25.1% higher than in Billings.
• Income in Tacoma is 15.5% higher than in Billings, so you could earn more 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 133.1% higher than in Billings. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Tacoma, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tacoma is 60.1% higher than in Billings.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 78.05% higher than in Billings.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 10.30% higher than in Billings.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Billings.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,993.23 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Billings.

How life is different in Billings vs. Tacoma

• The population of Tacoma is about 22% greater than Billings, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Tacoma offers better access to buses and trains than Billings, based on public transportation ratings. Tacoma has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Billings. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Tacoma means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Billings. Tacoma is considered more walkable than Billings, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Billings. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Tacoma and Billings are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 48 and 47 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Tacoma is higher than in Billings, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 55.55 in Tacoma, it is 48.63 in Billings. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Tacoma. With a crime index of 44.45, Tacoma ranks lower in overall safety than Billings, whose index is Billings's 50.37. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Tacoma and Billings 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 Billings 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