San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 105,460 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 37.6 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 5.1% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 5.7% | 1.4% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 1.7% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 7.5% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $70,722 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $35,235 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 12.9% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 35.1% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.5% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.1% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.2% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.4% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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