Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 229,228 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 6.1% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 39.9% | 2.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 32.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $400,636 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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