| Index | Spokane | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 110 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 105 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 110 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 113 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 117 | 117 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Spokane? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Spokane stands at 110, making it 10% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Spokane are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Spokane can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 36 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Spokane. The results indicated that 47% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 53% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Wondering if Spokane is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Spokane, for example, the median home price is 10.2% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 6.4% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Spokane boasting a median household income of $79,292, which is 2.5% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Spokane, the transportation index stands at 16.2% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Spokane, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and income tax rates kick off at 0%.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Spokane, the groceries index is 7% higher than the national average.
The Spokane cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $108,020 | $9,002 | $2,520 | $3,241 |
| Renters | $51,487 | $4,291 | $1,201 | $1,545 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Washington | 6.5% | 10.4% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Washington | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rockford, WA | 431 | 107 | 6.9% |
| Millwood, WA | 1,787 | 108 | 7.8% |
| Medical Lake, WA | 5,075 | 107 | 7.2% |
| Airway Heights, WA | 9,237 | 108 | 8.4% |
| Town and Country, WA | 5,549 | 113 | 12.8% |
| Spokane, WA | 223,638 | 110 | 9.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Tacoma, WA | 223,137 | 125 | 24.9% |
| Spring Valley, NV | 224,434 | 119 | 18.9% |
| Modesto, CA | 222,619 | 130 | 29.9% |
| Richmond, BC | 222,489 | n/a | |
| Des Moines, IA | 221,968 | 91 | 8.5% |
| Spokane, WA | 223,638 | 110 | 9.5% |
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