Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 105,460 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.6 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 5.1% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 2.1% | 1.4% | Fullerton + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 1.7% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 7.5% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $70,722 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $35,235 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 12.9% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 24.8% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Fullerton, 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 | Fullerton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 35.1% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.1% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.2% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.4% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
32.5 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 503 in Fullerton. 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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