Sacramento 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 229,228 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.2 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 6.1% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 12.4% | 2.7% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 2.9% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 7.8% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $65,745 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $38,200 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 14.6% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 32.6% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 35.3% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.6% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.5% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.7% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
27.0 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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