Moving from Tacoma, WA to Hollywood, FL
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Hollywood, FL cover 3322 mi and about 58h 55m of driving through 12 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.
3322 mi Β· 58h 55m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Hollywood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Tacoma (111.133) and Hollywood (114.155) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Hollywood ZHVI at $439,400 is 2.7% below Tacoma at $493,840.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Hollywood -5.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 65.0" |
Major climate step-up: 22.4Β°F warmer annual average in Hollywood vs Tacoma.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, HOLLYWOOD, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 152,935 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $65,359 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 41 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.53 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.7% between Tacoma and Hollywood (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hollywood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Hollywood averages 65.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (22.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Hollywood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 3322 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Hollywood, FL from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 3322 mi and the route typically takes 58h 55m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Hollywood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,359 in Hollywood vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 22.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hollywood compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hollywood compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $439,400 in Hollywood vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 11.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hollywood more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hollywood is 2.7% higher than Tacoma (114.155 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Hollywood, FL.