Performance
Score Breakdown
Spokane
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spokane is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Schenectady.
| Metric | Spokane | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,433 | $1,425 | +1% |
| Groceries | $400 | $442 | -10% |
| Utilities | $223 | $323 | -31% |
| Transport | $120 | $899 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,426 | $3,089 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Spokane offers 31% 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 $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Spokane | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,290 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,765 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $70,190 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Spokane | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Spokane scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Spokane | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Spokane is the larger city
— approximately 3.3x the population of Schenectady.
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 | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,989 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
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.
Schenectady
Advantages
Exceptional Livability Score of 78/100 [22].
Cost of living is 18% lower than the New York State average [22].
Median sale price of homes increased by 6.2% year-over-year as of June 2026 [25].
Revitalized downtown area with growing tech firms and cultural attractions [41].
Schenectady County experienced a 5% GDP growth in 2023 [8].
Drawbacks
High crime rates, with a safety grade of 'F' and violent crime rates significantly above national averages [8, 22].
Homeownership rate (45.6%) is lower than the national average (65.2%) [3].
Median household income ($58,399) is lower than the national average.
Moderate public transit score of 50/100 [27].
Higher than average transportation costs (5% higher than national average) [21].
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
Schenectady
#62New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Spokane and Schenectady.
Open Cost Calculator