Spokane Valley WA vs Washington DC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Spokane Valley
105,460
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane Valley
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Spokane Valley
37.6
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Spokane Valley
5.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Spokane Valley
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 85.1% | 39.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,722 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,235 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 14.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.8% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,734 | $580,173 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 41.1% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
3409
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 24.0% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 32.8 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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