Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Tacoma and Vancouver, Washington. Using Washington's 0.98% property tax rate and $1,600/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Vancouver edges out Tacoma in affordability, saving you roughly $206/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Washington, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Washington's 0.98% property tax rate.
Buying in Vancouver saves you approximately $206/month ($2,472/year) compared to Tacoma, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Vancouver is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $445K versus $475K in Tacoma. That's $30K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $16K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Vancouver, compared to $17K in Tacoma. Washington offers the WSHFC Home Advantage program (Up to $10,000 DPA) which applies in both cities.
Tacoma has the better price-to-rent ratio at 24.0x versus 24.4x in Vancouver. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Tacoma is $1,650/month on a $475K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Tacoma (pop. 219,346) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Vancouver (pop. 190,915) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Vancouver, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.