Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 105,460 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.6 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 5.1% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.5% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $35,235 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 24.8% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $414,734 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3409 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.2% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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