Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 229,228 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.2 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 6.6% | 2.7% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 2.9% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 7.8% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Spokane
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $65,745 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $38,200 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 14.6% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 32.6% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Spokane
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Spokane
3409
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Spokane, 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
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.3% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.3% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 18.6% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.7% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Spokane, 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
Seattle
28.8 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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