($1,541) Movers From Harrisburg, PA to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Harrisburg to Tacoma

Moving from Harrisburg to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma is generally more expensive than Harrisburg, 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 38% higher than in Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 107.5% higher than in Harrisburg.
• Income is the same in Tacoma and Harrisburg. 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 123.5% higher than in Harrisburg. 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 101.0% higher than in Harrisburg.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 45.52% lower than in Harrisburg.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 71.67% higher than in Harrisburg.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Harrisburg.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,705.79 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Harrisburg.

How life is different in Harrisburg vs. Tacoma

• The population of Tacoma is about 347% greater than Harrisburg, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Tacoma will be about the same as it currently is in Harrisburg. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Tacoma neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Harrisburg. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tacoma isn’t as walkable as Harrisburg, which has a score of 68 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 Harrisburg. While Harrisburg has a bike-friendliness score of 57 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 Harrisburg based on scores of 55.55 and Harrisburg's 64.18, 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 Harrisburg, based on Tacoma’s safety index of 44.45 versus 35.82 for Harrisburg. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tacoma has better air quality than in Harrisburg. Tacoma has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Harrisburg. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Harrisburg 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