Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
229,228
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 81.0% | 39.1% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $580,173 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 41.1% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 24.0% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 32.8 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane 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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