Austin TX vs Spokane Valley WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 105,460 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.6 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 5.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.4% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.7% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 7.5% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $70,722 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $35,235 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.9% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 24.8% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Austin, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.1% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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