City Comparison
Lacey vs Spokane
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lacey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lacey
Spokane
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spokane is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Lacey.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lacey's average rent is
22% higher than Spokane's.
| Metric | Lacey | Spokane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,433 | +22% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $223 | -24% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $2,426 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Spokane offers 6% lower 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 Lacey is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Spokane.
| Metric | Lacey | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $72,290 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 73,765 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $70,190 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lacey runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lacey comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lacey sees 5.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lacey | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Spokane has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Lacey.
Spokane scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Spokane leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lacey | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Spokane is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Lacey.
From a growth perspective, Lacey 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 | Lacey | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,370 | 228,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lacey
Advantages
Proximity to state capital Olympia and Joint Base Lewis-McChord provides a stable regional economy per Washington ESD.
Abundant outdoor recreation options including local parks, lakes, and proximity to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Family-friendly neighborhoods with highly rated local schools and active community programs.
More affordable housing options compared to major urban centers like Seattle and Tacoma.
High percentage of sunny days (239 days) relative to Western Washington's typical overcast reputation.
Drawbacks
Growing traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5 during peak commuting hours per WSDOT data.
Increasing housing costs and rental rates driven by regional population influx per Zillow market reports.
Limited public transit rail options, maintaining high car dependency across the municipality.
Cool and damp winter season with frequent rain despite sunny summer months.
Competitive job market for specific corporate and tech roles outside of government and healthcare sectors.
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.
Lacey
#228Washington, USA
63.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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