City Comparison
Redmond vs Spokane
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Redmond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Redmond
Spokane
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spokane is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Redmond.
Housing costs are a major driver: Redmond's average rent is
71% higher than Spokane's.
| Metric | Redmond | Spokane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,433 | +71% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $195 | $223 | -13% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $250 | +16% |
| Monthly Total | $3,595 | $2,426 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Redmond offers 59% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Redmond delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Redmond is estimated at
$85,000 vs $55,000 in Spokane.
| Metric | Redmond | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $115,000 | $72,290 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,658 idx | 73,765 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $70,190 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Redmond runs warmer on average — a 52.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Redmond comes out ahead with 218 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Redmond sees 18.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Redmond | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 218 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Spokane has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Redmond.
Redmond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Redmond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Redmond | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Spokane is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Redmond.
From a growth perspective, Redmond is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Redmond has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Redmond | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,543 | 228,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Redmond
Advantages
World-class job market anchored by Microsoft and a booming technology sector
Exceptional public school system and high overall educational attainment
Abundant outdoor recreation, including over 50 parks and miles of dedicated bike trails
Low crime rates and consistently high safety rankings statewide
Expansion of the Sound Transit Link light rail improving regional connectivity
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices compared to the national average
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major arteries like SR 520
Competitive real estate market making homeownership challenging for median earners
Overcast and rainy winter weather patterns characteristic of the Pacific Northwest
Rising commercial and residential rents impacting local small businesses
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.
Redmond
#272Washington, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
218/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
86
Business
88
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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