($1,496) Movers From Philadelphia, PA to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Tacoma

Moving from Philadelphia to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma is generally more expensive than Philadelphia, 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 3% lower than in Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 120.0% higher than in Philadelphia.
• Income in Tacoma is 3.7% higher than in Philadelphia, 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 62.7% higher than in Philadelphia. 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 17.3% higher than in Philadelphia.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 31.13% lower than in Philadelphia.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 28.75% higher than in Philadelphia.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Philadelphia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,879.57 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.

How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Tacoma

• Tacoma might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 86% less than Philadelphia.
• Getting around Tacoma without a car might be more difficult than in Philadelphia. Tacoma has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tacoma isn’t as walkable as Philadelphia, which has a score of 75 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 Philadelphia. While Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 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 Philadelphia based on scores of 55.55 and Philadelphia's 66.09, 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 Philadelphia, based on Tacoma’s safety index of 44.45 versus 33.91 for Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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