Burien, WA vs Spokane Valley, WA

The cost of living difference between Burien, WA and Spokane Valley, WA is dramatic. Spokane Valley is 40.3% cheaper than Burien, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burien has a cost index of 142 while Spokane Valley sits at 101, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Burien is $1,742/month compared to $1,247/month in Spokane Valley — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Spokane Valley is more affordable at $344,300 median vs $609,300.

Median household income in Burien is $90,597 compared to $70,722 in Spokane Valley (+28.1%). The higher salaries in Burien partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Burien spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Spokane Valley.

Climate-wise, Burien is notably warmer with an average of 53.7°F compared to 49.8°F in Spokane Valley. Burien receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 17.4" in Spokane Valley.