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Spokane, WA Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for Spokane, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Salary needed to live in Spokane →

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Spokane, Washington is home to roughly 227,922 residents. The typical household here earns $63,316 a year — below the median we track across cities (-12%).

Anyone weighing a move to Spokane should know the median home value is $286,900, below the multi-city median (-12%), and median rent runs $1,060 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.

Buying a typical home in Spokane would run about 4.5 years of median household income — a moderate multiple, not unusually high or low. The local market has seen 2.6% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. FEMA's National Risk Index puts Spokane at Relatively Moderate for overall natural-hazard risk — a relatively favorable factor for insurance costs.

Personal Affordability Check

Cost of housing in Spokane

Median home value is $286,900 and median gross rent is $1,060/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for Spokane rose 2.6% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,531/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates Spokane's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

Spokane reported a violent crime rate of 612.7 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.

Moving to Spokane

Planning a move to Spokane? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Spokane, WA?

Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in Spokane — median home value of $286,900, median rent of $1,060/month — set against a median household income of $63,316 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Spokane?

At Spokane's median rent of $1,060/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $42,400 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Spokane.

Is it better to rent or buy in Spokane?

Buying at Spokane's median home value of $286,900 takes about $65,641 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $42,400 a year to comfortably rent at the median $1,060/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.

Is Spokane safe?

The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 612.7 per 100,000 residents in Spokane.

See the full salary breakdown for Spokane →

Cities with a similar cost of living

Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Spokane's.