($1,631) Movers From Virginia Beach, VA to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Virginia Beach to Tacoma

Moving from Virginia Beach to Tacoma means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Virginia Beach than in Tacoma, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Virginia Beach compares to Tacoma so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Tacoma are 15% lower than in Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 18.6% higher than in Virginia Beach.
• Income in Tacoma is 10.4% lower than in Virginia Beach, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tacoma include Joint Base Lewis-McChord, MultiCare Health System, and State of Washington.
• The cost of living for a single person in Tacoma is 8.8% lower than in Virginia Beach. 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 22.8% higher than in Virginia Beach.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 52.08% higher than in Virginia Beach.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 71.67% higher than in Virginia Beach.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Virginia Beach.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,735.27 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Virginia Beach.

How life is different in Virginia Beach vs. Tacoma

• Tacoma might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 51% less than Virginia Beach.
• Tacoma offers better access to buses and trains than Virginia Beach, based on public transportation ratings. Tacoma has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. Tacoma is considered more walkable than Virginia Beach, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is rated as 42 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Tacoma is higher than in Virginia Beach, 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 42.0 in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach, whose index is Virginia Beach's 58.0. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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