Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Renton
48.7%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.6 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 5.1% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.4% | Renton + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 1.7% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 7.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $70,722 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $35,235 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.9% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 12.9% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 24.8% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Spokane Valley
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Spokane Valley
3409
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 35.1% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.1% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.2% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.4% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Renton, WALos Angeles, CA vs Renton, WAChicago, IL vs Renton, WAHouston, TX vs Renton, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Renton, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Renton, WA