Moving from West Jordan, UT to Tacoma, WA
A move from West Jordan, UT to Tacoma, WA covers 854 mi and around 15h 9m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
854 mi Β· 15h 9m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 395 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Jordan | Tacoma | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.2% pricier overall in Tacoma than West Jordan on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 10.2% lower in Tacoma than West Jordan as of 2026-03.
YoY change: West Jordan +1.7%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Jordan | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 40.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 54.5Β°F vs 53.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Jordan | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,277 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $103,960 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.41 |
Median household income in Tacoma is 10.2% below West Jordan ($103,960 β $83,857, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tacoma MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tacoma more expensive than West Jordan?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma is 10.2% higher than West Jordan (111.133 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tacoma compared to West Jordan?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $561,836 in West Jordan β a 12.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tacoma, WA from West Jordan, UT?
The driving distance is 854 mi and the route typically takes 15h 9m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Jordan vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $103,960 in West Jordan β a 19.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tacoma compare to West Jordan?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA vs $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from West Jordan to Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 854 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Jordan.
City profiles: West Jordan, UT Β· Tacoma, WA.