($1,563) Movers From Columbus, OH to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Columbus to Tacoma

Moving from Columbus to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma is generally more expensive than Columbus, 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 15% higher than in Columbus, 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 Columbus.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 99.8% higher than in Columbus.
• Income in Tacoma is 12.7% higher than in Columbus, 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 48.5% higher than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family is the same in Tacoma and Columbus.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 28.07% higher than in Columbus.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 37.33% higher than in Columbus.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Columbus.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,453.66 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.

How life is different in Columbus vs. Tacoma

• Tacoma might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Columbus.
• Tacoma offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Tacoma has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Columbus. 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 Columbus. Tacoma is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in Columbus. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Tacoma and Columbus are similarly bike-friendly based on their rating of 48. 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 Columbus, 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 49.65 in Columbus. 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 Columbus, whose index is Columbus's 50.35. 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 Columbus 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 Columbus 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Washington, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toTacoma Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Tacoma

Now that you’ve chosen "America’s #1 Wired City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tacoma to check out.

Helpful moving resources