Salary Needed to Live in Tacoma as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $69,524/year to live comfortably in Tacoma, WA, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $69,524/year to live comfortably in Tacoma, WA. The bare-minimum salary is $60,000/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,120.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,650/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,794/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$69,524
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$60,000
$5,000/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,650
3% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Tacoma
| Expense | Tacoma | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,173 | $1,351 | -13% |
| Groceries | $248 | $207 | +20% |
| Utilities | $169 | $169 | 0% |
| Transportation | $306 | $316 | -3% |
| Car Insurance | $209 | $215 | -3% |
| Health Insurance | $771 | $642 | +20% |
| Internet | $78 | $65 | +20% |
| Phone | $102 | $85 | +20% |
| Dining & Social | $360 | $300 | +20% |
| Entertainment | $144 | $120 | +20% |
| Personal Care | $90 | $75 | +20% |
| Total Monthly | $3,650 | $3,545 | +3% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,650
Target savings (10%):$470/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,120
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$69,524
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,173
Studio/1BR rent is 32% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus WA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$470/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
120/100
Tacoma is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,173/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $774/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $60,000/year as the survival floor and $69,524/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Tacoma
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Tacoma?
A single person needs approximately $69,524/year ($5,794/month gross) to live comfortably in Tacoma with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Tacoma?
A studio/1br in Tacoma costs approximately $1,173/month, which is the largest single expense at 32% of the total budget.
Is Tacoma affordable for a single person?
Tacoma is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.