Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 105,460 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.6 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 5.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 6.7% | 1.4% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.7% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 7.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 24.8% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $414,734 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA