Moving from Boulder, CO to Tacoma, WA
A move from Boulder, CO to Tacoma, WA covers 1306 mi and around 22h 47m of driving through 6 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.
1306 mi Β· 22h 47m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Tacoma | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Tacoma is 5.6% higher than Boulder, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tacoma is 5.6% below Boulder β $964,531 vs $493,840 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 40.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Boulder (51.5Β°F) and Tacoma (53.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.41 |
Median household incomes in Boulder ($85,364) and Tacoma ($83,857) are within a few percent (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 Colorado 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.
- 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1306 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 Tacoma compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 1.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1306 mi and the route typically takes 22h 47m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tacoma more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma is 5.6% higher than Boulder (111.133 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tacoma compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 48.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Tacoma, WA.