Spokane WA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Spokane
229,228
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 81.0% | 58.2% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $54,546 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $31,152 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 18.8% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 30.2% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 51.7% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.5% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.7% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 69.8°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 23.9 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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