Moving from Tacoma, WA to Los Angeles, CA
It is 1103 mi between Tacoma and Los Angeles β roughly 20h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1103 mi Β· 20h 50m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Fullerton, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Tacoma and Los Angeles sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $493,840 in Tacoma to $952,183 in Los Angeles, a 2.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 14.1" |
Annual temperature rises 10.1Β°F moving to Los Angeles per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.72 |
Household income lines up β $83,857 vs $80,366 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 2.2% higher than Tacoma (113.566 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1103 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1103 mi and the route typically takes 20h 50m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 92.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 4.2% 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· Los Angeles, CA.