Spokane WA vs Tacoma WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 220,482 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.3 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 81.0% | 59.4% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $496,966 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 56.5% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Tacoma
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Tacoma
3409
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tacoma, 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
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 37.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.9% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.7% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.3% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 53.5°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 39.2 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tacoma, 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
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 31.1 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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