Seattle, WA vs Spokane, WA

The cost of living difference between Seattle, WA and Spokane, WA is dramatic. Spokane is 80.9% cheaper than Seattle, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Seattle has a cost index of 175 while Spokane sits at 97, 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 Seattle is $1,998/month compared to $1,141/month in Spokane — a 75% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Spokane is more affordable at $326,200 median vs $912,100.

Median household income in Seattle is $121,984 compared to $65,745 in Spokane (+85.5%). While Seattle is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Seattle spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, less than the 20.8% in Spokane.

Climate-wise, Seattle is notably warmer with an average of 53.2°F compared to 49.8°F in Spokane. Seattle receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 17.4" in Spokane.