($1,609) Movers From McAllen, TX to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from McAllen to Tacoma

Moving from McAllen to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma is generally more expensive than McAllen, 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 22% higher than in McAllen, 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 McAllen.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 115.7% higher than in McAllen.
• Income in Tacoma is 27.7% higher than in McAllen, 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 183.7% higher than in McAllen. 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 104.1% higher than in McAllen.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 7.59% lower than in McAllen.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 24.85% higher than in McAllen.
• State income taxes are the same in Tacoma and McAllen.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $8,509.95 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in McAllen.

How life is different in McAllen vs. Tacoma

• The population of Tacoma is about 57% greater than McAllen, 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 McAllen, based on public transportation ratings. Tacoma has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in McAllen. 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 McAllen. Tacoma is considered more walkable than McAllen, with a score of 54 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in McAllen. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Tacoma and McAllen are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 48 and 46 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Tacoma is higher than in McAllen, 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 36.26 in McAllen. 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 McAllen, whose index is McAllen's 63.74. 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.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Tacoma has better air quality than in McAllen. Tacoma has Good air quality, compared to moderate in McAllen. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your McAllen 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