Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Tacoma to Houston
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Tacoma has a higher median household income ($85,884 vs $64,813) and higher median home value ($479,600 vs $277,800) than Houston, but also higher median gross rent ($1,676 vs $1,361). Commute times are similar (31 vs 30 minutes). Houston reports a 0.00% state individual income tax in the calculator’s simplified reference, while Tacoma’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month applies to both. These figures reflect trade-offs in affordability, income, and tax treatment without implying overall superiority.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → TacomaMoving from Tacoma to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$315/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$3,780/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
-1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTTAC → HOU
67/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$16,164after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $3,780 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Tacoma household income$85,884
Houston household income$64,813
Tacoma gross rent$1,676
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Tacoma | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 222,758 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $85,884 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,676 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $479,600 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 31 minutes in Tacoma and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- State individual income tax treatment
What each city wins
Tacoma
Median rent consumes roughly 23% of median income.. Watch lower rent than many west coast cities but offset by moderate incomes and commute times..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do Tacoma and Houston compare in housing costs relative to income?
Tacoma’s median gross rent is $1,676/month (23.4% of median income) and Houston’s is $1,361/month (25.2%), based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates. Home values are significantly higher in Tacoma at $479,600 versus Houston’s $277,800.
What role does state income tax play in the cost comparison between these cities?
Houston uses a simplified 0.00% state individual income tax reference in the calculator, while Tacoma’s state tax is excluded due to lack of approved official reference. This difference affects net income estimates but does not reflect actual tax liability.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.