Performance
Score Breakdown
Spokane
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Spokane.
| Metric | Spokane | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,433 | $1,412 | +1% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $223 | $281 | -21% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,426 | $2,404 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Spokane offers 19% 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 Spokane is estimated at
$55,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Spokane | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,290 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,765 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $70,190 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Spokane | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Spokane has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
| Metric | Spokane | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Spokane.
From a growth perspective, Spokane is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Spokane has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Spokane | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,989 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Spokane
#25Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,433
Avg Salary
$72,290
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
Dallas
#1Texas, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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