City Comparison
Renton vs Spokane
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Spokane scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Renton
Spokane
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spokane is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Renton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Renton's average rent is
47% higher than Spokane's.
| Metric | Renton | Spokane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,433 | +47% |
| Groceries | $480 | $400 | +20% |
| Utilities | $190 | $223 | -15% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,160 | $2,426 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Renton offers 8% 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 Renton is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Spokane.
| Metric | Renton | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $72,290 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,778 idx | 73,765 idx |
| Household Income | $92,000 | $70,190 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Renton runs warmer on average — a 54.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Renton comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Renton sees 10.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Renton | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Spokane has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Renton.
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 | Renton | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Spokane is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Renton.
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 | Renton | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,000 | 228,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Renton
Advantages
Strategic Puget Sound location with convenient access to Seattle, Bellevue, and Sea-Tac International Airport
Stunning natural amenities including Lake Washington waterfront access and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Diverse and inclusive community with a rich cultural fabric and active local neighborhoods
Strong local economy anchored by aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, and technology
Vibrant downtown City Centre undergoing continuous revitalization and new dining developments
Drawbacks
Elevated cost of living and housing prices significantly higher than the U.S. national average
Significant traffic congestion along major commuter corridors such as Interstate 405 during peak hours
Higher-than-average property crime rates typical of growing urban and suburban transition zones
Frequent Pacific Northwest overcast weather and high annual rainfall totals
Competitive real estate market making homeownership difficult for middle-income 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.
Renton
#521Washington, USA
51.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
54.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
72
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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