City Comparison
Seattle vs Spokane
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seattle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seattle
Spokane
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spokane is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Seattle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seattle's average rent is
57% higher than Spokane's.
| Metric | Seattle | Spokane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $1,433 | +57% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $210 | $223 | -6% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $250 | +16% |
| Monthly Total | $3,410 | $2,426 | +41% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 36% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Spokane delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Seattle is estimated at
$82,000 vs $55,000 in Spokane.
| Metric | Seattle | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,000 | $72,290 |
| Salary Needed | $82,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,474 idx | 73,765 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $70,190 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seattle runs warmer on average — a 54.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seattle comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seattle sees 8.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seattle | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Spokane has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Seattle.
Seattle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seattle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seattle | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Spokane.
From a growth perspective, Spokane is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Seattle | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 783,155 | 228,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seattle
Advantages
Thriving job market anchored by global tech, aerospace, and biotech leaders
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation including mountains, forests, and marine waters
High median household income well above the national average
Vibrant culinary, coffee, and craft beverage culture
Progressive, highly educated, and culturally active community
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. average
Frequent overcast skies and high annual rainfall during the winter months
Persistent traffic congestion during peak commuting hours
Urban property crime and public safety challenges in specific downtown sectors
High barrier to entry for prospective first-time home buyers
Spokane
Advantages
Cost of living is approximately 3% below the national average, with housing costs being 13.9% lower than the national average.
Spokane offers abundant outdoor activities with 76 lakes within an hour's drive and proximity to mountains.
Washington State has no state income tax, providing a significant financial advantage to residents.
The average commute time in Spokane is around 20-22 minutes, which is shorter than the Washington state average.
Spokane is recognized as one of the most affordable cities on the West Coast.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Spokane is 7.2 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Grocery costs in Spokane are approximately 8.8% higher than the national average.
Job growth is projected to slow down in 2026, and the housing market remains challenging for newcomers.
Spokane's economy has a heavy reliance on the healthcare industry, which poses a risk if growth in this sector falters.
Consumer spending behavior indicates an 'emotional recession' due to inflation eroding wage gains.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Seattle
#513Washington, USA
51.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$98,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
84
Business
85
Spokane
#519Washington, USA
51.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,433
Avg Salary
$72,290
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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