Spokane WA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Spokane
229,228
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 81.0% | 51.8% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.9% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 50.2% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.5% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.9% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 73.4°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 46.3 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 26.8 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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