Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Paradise, NV
VS
Tacoma, WA
🏆 Paradise leads 14 of 23 categories
Paradise
Nevada
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,224
Violent Crime Index
25 ✓ Safer
Population
189,733
Tacoma
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$79,085 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
280⚠ High
Population
219,234 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Paradise, NV
Pros
91% less violent crime than Tacoma
Rent averages $297/mo less ($1,192 vs $1,489)
Homes cost $82k less ($333,800 vs $415,300)
Violent crime is well below the national average (94.1 vs 380/100k)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Tacoma
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Tacoma by $23,861/yr
Higher unemployment (8.9% vs 5.4%)
Hot summers — July highs average 105°F
Tacoma, WA
Pros
Households earn $23,861 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (5.4%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 105°F
More college-educated — 32.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (1063.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $415,300
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Paradise
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 100.1 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Paradise
Violent Crime
91% lower
94.1 vs 1063.0 per 100k
Paradise
Median Home Value
$82k less
$333,800 vs $415,300
Paradise
Summer Heat
27.7°F warmer
July avg high 104.5°F vs 76.8°F
Tacoma
Median Income
$23,861
$79,085 vs $55,224/yr
Tacoma
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
5.4% vs 8.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Paradise, NV | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $333,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $415,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,192 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $55,224 | $79,085 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 25 ✓ Safer | 275⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 25 ✓ Safer | 280⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 25 ✓ Safer | 267⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (86) | B- (91) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.7% | 32.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.3% | 90.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Clark County | Tacoma School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.5°F ✓ Warmer | 48.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.5°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 4.2" ✓ Drier | 40.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 5.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 189,733 | 219,234 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.5 ✓ Older | 36.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.7% | 56.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.9% | 19.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.0% ✓ More | 14.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Paradise's cost of living index is 100.1 vs Tacoma's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Paradise is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Paradise leads 14 of 23 categories. Paradise wins 14 and Tacoma wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Paradise to Tacoma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($333,800 vs $415,300 median home), income ($55,224 vs $79,085), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Paradise, NV and Tacoma, WA are about 858 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.