Moving from Tacoma, WA to Brownsville, TX
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Brownsville, TX cover 2413 mi and about 44h 13m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2413 mi Β· 44h 13m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β CO β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β CO β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Brownsville is 22.6% lower than Tacoma β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Brownsville: 22.6% below Tacoma on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | β |
Major climate step-up: 20.7Β°F warmer annual average in Brownsville vs Tacoma.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 22.6% between Tacoma and Brownsville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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.
- 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92Β°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 (20.7Β°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 much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 60.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2413 mi and the route typically takes 44h 13m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 22.6% lower than Tacoma (85.975 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2413 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 42.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Brownsville, TX.