CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Tacoma, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Abilene is significantly cheaper than Tacoma — 22.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $98,300 in Tacoma. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+105.0%
Abilene
73.8
Tacoma
151.3
🛒 Groceries+10.9%
Abilene
93.8
Tacoma
104
🚗 Transportation+11.0%
Abilene
101.1
Tacoma
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+11.1%
Abilene
91.4
Tacoma
101.5
Utilities+14.3%
Abilene
81.2
Tacoma
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Tacoma to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$98,300
$18,300 more needed in Tacoma

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.2290. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Tacoma has 105.0% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Tacoma, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.