Spokane Valley 86 Exceptional
Spokane Valley Livability #20 ranked city in Washington#404 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas
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Spokane Valley, WA - The Heart of the Inland Northwest

Spokane Valley, WA, known as 'The Heart of the Inland Northwest,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Spokane County, Spokane Valley is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Spokane (10 miles) and Coeur d'Alene, ID (30 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Spokane Valley's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Spokane Valley is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Spokane Valley Mall, the historic Dishman Hills Natural Area, and the scenic Mirabeau Point Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Centennial Trail to the bustling Valleyfest, known for its shopping and dining. Spokane Valley's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Pacific Northwest cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Spokane Valleyfest and the Valley Chamber After Hours highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Spokane Valley's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Spokane Community College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Spokane Valley is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center and the Valley Art Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Spokane Valley provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Spokane Valley’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Spokane Indians (baseball) and the Spokane Chiefs (hockey) in nearby Spokane, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Spokane Valley include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as Providence Health Care and Central Valley School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and the Spokane Transit Authority, making it easy to navigate the area. The weather in Spokane Valley features cold winters and warm summers, perfect for a variety of outdoor activities year-round.

Pros and Cons of Living in Spokane Valley

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.

What's it like Living in Spokane Valley?

Spokane Valley, Washington is a moderately-sized city with a population of 102,600 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (89% White). Given that fact, Spokane Valley could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Spokane Valley will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Spokane Valley, Washington. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Spokane Valley, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, health & safety, education, employment, housing and more.

The livability score in Spokane Valley is 85 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 98th percentile of all cities across America. This is a terrific score, as Spokane Valley ranks well in multiple categories! Another exciting tidbit, is that Spokane Valley ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we know that Spokane Valley ranks very well for cost of living (A-), education (B) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Spokane Valley. The following was graded with a discouraging score: crime (D-).

Spokane Valley has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Spokane Valley has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Spokane Valley market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Spokane Valley is actually affordable. The median home price for Spokane Valley homes is $411,819, which is 16.3% lower than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Spokane Valley, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5, which is 7.4% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Spokane Valley

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      Spokane Valley transportation information

      Statistic Spokane Valley Washington National
      Average one way commute20min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.1%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.3%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.0%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home6.9%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Spokane Valley, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.