Chula Vista CA vs Spokane WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chula Vista
8,933
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 6.1% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 0.7% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 7.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $65,745 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $38,200 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 6.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 14.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 58.3% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 35.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.6% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.7% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 17.1 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA