San Jose 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)
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
Spokane
6.1%
White
San Jose
29.0%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
San Jose
2.9%
San Jose +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 229,228 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | 6.1% | San Jose + |
| White | 29.0% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.9% | 2.7% | San Jose + |
| Asian | 38.6% | 2.9% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | $65,745 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | $38,200 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 14.6% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 32.6% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 35.3% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.6% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.5% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.7% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | 17.1 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, 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
San Jose
30.4 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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