New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Spokane
6.1%
White
New York
35.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 229,228 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 6.1% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 22.7% | 2.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 2.9% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 7.8% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | New York, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $65,745 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $38,200 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 32.6% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | New York, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | New York, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | New York, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 35.3% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.6% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.5% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | New York, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | New York, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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