Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 105,460 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.6 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 5.1% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 27.5% | 1.4% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 1.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.5% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $70,722 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $35,235 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 12.9% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 24.8% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 35.1% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.1% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.2% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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