($1,570) Movers From Chattanooga, TN to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Chattanooga to Tacoma

Moving from Chattanooga to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma is generally more expensive than Chattanooga, 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 12% higher than in Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 57.7% higher than in Chattanooga.
• Income in Tacoma is 21.9% higher than in Chattanooga, 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 25.2% higher than in Chattanooga. 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 66.9% higher than in Chattanooga.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 30.36% higher than in Chattanooga.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 11.35% higher than in Chattanooga.
• State income taxes are the same in Tacoma and Chattanooga.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,757.27 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chattanooga.

How life is different in Chattanooga vs. Tacoma

• The population of Tacoma is about 24% greater than Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, based on public transportation ratings. Tacoma has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga. Tacoma is considered more walkable than Chattanooga, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 29 out of 100 in Chattanooga. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Tacoma is considered more bike-friendly than Chattanooga in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Tacoma has a bike-friendliness score of 48 out of 100, while Chattanooga is rated as 35 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Tacoma as Chattanooga. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Tacoma is generally as safe as Chattanooga, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Tacoma and Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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