Spokane WA vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 192,696 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.5 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 81.0% | 70.6% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Vancouver
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 31.5% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $510,577 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 49.9% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Vancouver
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Vancouver
3409
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, 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 +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 36.2% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.1% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.4% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 52.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 41.6 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, 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 +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 25.1 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver 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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