Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 229,228 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.2 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 6.1% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 7.8% | 2.7% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $65,745 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $38,200 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.6% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3409 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 35.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.6% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.5% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.7% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 17.1 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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