Norwalk 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Norwalk +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.2 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 6.1% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 4.2% | 2.7% | Norwalk + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 2.9% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 7.8% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $65,745 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.0% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 14.6% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 58.3% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Norwalk +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Norwalk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 35.3% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.6% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, 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
Norwalk
32.1 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norwalk, CALos Angeles, CA vs Norwalk, CAChicago, IL vs Norwalk, CAHouston, TX vs Norwalk, CANorwalk, CA vs Phoenix, AZNorwalk, CA vs Philadelphia, PA