Spokane 81 Exceptional
Spokane Livability #76 ranked city in Washington#1,305 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas

Spokane, WA - The Lilac City

Spokane, WA, known as 'The Lilac City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in eastern Washington, Spokane is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Coeur d'Alene and Pullman enhance its status as a central point in the region. Spokane's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Spokane is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Riverfront Park, the historic Davenport Hotel, and the scenic Manito Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Spokane Falls to the bustling River Park Square, known for its shopping and dining. Spokane's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Pacific Northwest cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Lilac Bloomsday Run and the Spokane International Film Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Spokane's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Gonzaga University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

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

Spokane’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Spokane Chiefs (WHL) and the Spokane Indians (MiLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Spokane include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as Providence Health & Services and Gonzaga University driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and the Spokane Transit Authority (STA), making commuting convenient and accessible.

Pros and Cons of Living in Spokane

PROS
  • Amenities

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

  • 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

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

  • 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

    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
  • Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Ratings

    Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.

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What's it like Living in Spokane?

Spokane is a highly populated city located in the state of Washington. The city has a population of 219,185 people. In Spokane, there are 3,188 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we look at the most recent Census, Spokane is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. In Spokane, only 48% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Spokane will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Spokane could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Washington if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like cost of living, commute, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Spokane and in the areas around Spokane is a much easier task.

The livability score in Spokane is 80 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 96th percentile of all cities across America. This is a great score, as Spokane ranks well in multiple categories! Spokane also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Spokane has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A-), education (B+) and housing (A). Unfortunately for Spokane, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F).

If you're considering living in Spokane, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Spokane provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Riverfront Park, Manito Park, and Centennial Trail.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Spokane has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

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 is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Spokane come in at $205,500, which is 23.7% lower than the Washington average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Spokane, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 9.3% lower than the Washington average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Spokane

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Compare Spokane, WA Livability

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      Spokane transportation information

      Statistic Spokane Washington National
      Average one way commute21min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.2%72.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.0%10.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.7%6.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.9%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.5%3.6%2.8%
      Working from home7.0%5.6%4.6%
      Source: The Spokane, WA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).