Cost of Living in Spokane, WA

Population 229,228 · Washington · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Spokane lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $326,000 — 7% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Washington.

Cost Overview

Housing 107

Rent 87

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Spokane

The median home value in Spokane is $326,200 — 7% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,141/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,745/year is 12% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. Washington charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 60.7°F and lows of 38.9°F. Overall, Spokane has a cost of living index of 99 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$326,200

7% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$389,883

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,141/mo

13% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,455/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

23.8x

Favors renting

Property Tax Rate

1.0%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$963

1 BR

$1,018

2 BR

$1,317

3 BR

$1,845

4 BR

$2,071

Owner-occupied 58.3%

Renter-occupied 41.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,141

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,755/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

22.7 min

16% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

13.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

68.3%

Carpooled

9.5%

Public transit

2.9%

Walked

3.7%

Bicycle

0.6%

Work from home

13.8%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None

Total Sales Tax 9.2%

State rate 6.5%

Avg local rate 2.7%

Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$65,745

12% below avg

Per Capita Income

$38,200

Unemployment Rate

6.0%

24% above avg

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Labor Force Participation

62.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.5%

Graduate degree 12.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.2

Male median age 36.3

Female median age 38

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

60.7°F

Avg Low

38.9°F

Annual Precip

17.4"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	38	43	51	60	70	76	87	86	76	60	45	37
Low °F	26	27	32	37	44	50	56	55	47	38	31	26
Precip"	2.00	1.32	1.82	1.50	1.70	1.48	0.67	0.54	0.68	1.46	2.01	2.18

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good

70.4%

Good air days/yr

447

Max AQI recorded

232

PM2.5 days

127

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

86.5%

4-Year Graduation Rate

17.2:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

38,559

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Spokane, WA?

Spokane has a cost index of 99 (100 = national average). It is 1% below the national average.

What is average rent in Spokane, WA?

The median gross rent in Spokane is $1,141 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Spokane?

The median home value in Spokane is $326,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Spokane?

The median household income in Spokane is $65,745 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Spokane, WA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Spokane is 9.2%. Washington has no state income tax.

Is Spokane, WA affordable?

Spokane is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 99 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Spokane?

Spokane has average high temperatures of 60.7°F and average lows of 38.9°F. Annual precipitation is 17.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Spokane at a Glance

Population: 229,228
Median Income: $65,745
Home Value: $326,200
Median Rent: $1,141/mo
Unemployment: 6.0%
Avg High Temp: 60.7°F
Sales Tax: 9.2%

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