San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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 Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 105,460 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 5.1% | 1.4% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 1.7% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 7.5% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $70,722 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $35,235 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.9% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 24.8% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 35.1% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.5% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 18.1% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 7.7% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.4% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
33.9 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Francisco, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CAChicago, IL vs San Francisco, CAHouston, TX vs San Francisco, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Francisco, CA