Spokane WA vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 102,558 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 81.0% | 70.1% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $58,568 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $31,987 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 17.4% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 25.0% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 57.0% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.4% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.6% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.9% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.8% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.9% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 63.4°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 28.9 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Spokane 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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