($1,677) Movers From Providence, RI to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Providence to Tacoma

Moving from Providence to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma is generally more expensive than Providence, 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 25% lower than in Providence, 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 Providence.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 19.7% higher than in Providence.
• Income in Tacoma is 4.8% higher than in Providence, 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 65.8% higher than in Providence. 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 34.3% higher than in Providence.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 15.12% lower than in Providence.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 47.14% higher than in Providence.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Providence.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,973.53 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Providence.

How life is different in Providence vs. Tacoma

• The population of Tacoma is about 17% greater than Providence, 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.
• Getting around Tacoma without a car might be more difficult than in Providence. Tacoma has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Providence is ranked 7. 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 Providence. Based on its score of 54 out of 100, Tacoma isn’t as walkable as Providence, which has a score of 76 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 Providence. While Providence has a bike-friendliness score of 61 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.
• The crime rate in Tacoma is higher than in Providence, 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 49.84 in Providence. 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 Providence, whose index is Providence's 50.16. 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 Providence 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 Providence 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Washington, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Washington doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Tacoma without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Tacoma

With your sights set on "America’s #1 Wired City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Tacoma.

Helpful moving resources