Moving from Tacoma, WA to Allen, TX
It is 2096 mi and 37h 12m from Tacoma to Allen β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2096 mi Β· 37h 12m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Kent, Renton, Bellevue, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Allen at 103.09 vs Tacoma at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $493,840 vs $493,532.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 38.3" |
Expect 11.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 7.2% β $83,857 β $129,130 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Allen average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 54.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Allen, TX from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2096 mi and the route typically takes 37h 12m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2096 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Allen more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allen is 7.2% lower than Tacoma (103.09 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 0.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Allen compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Allen, TX.