What it's like to live in Spokane
Spokane is a large city in Washington with rent below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and schools with smaller class sizes than the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Spokane deals with crime rates above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and cold winters.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Short commutes
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Crime above national average
- Air quality concerns
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold winters
- Snowy winters — 45" per year
How Spokane compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Spokane
Based on Spokane's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,430
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $48,600 a year
- 51% of Spokane renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$72,700
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $36,350
- Homes cost 5.2× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 14% below US
$1,215/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,215 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices run above average, with a median around $363,500. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $363,500 · 51% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.3% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.3%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 86% above US
613 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.
Property crime 4392/100k · Spokane Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 21% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 20.6 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 15% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 83°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 26°F and snow a regular occurrence. It's a dry climate with limited rainfall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
6 hospitals
There are 6 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.3 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforceNear US average
34% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 34% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
71 public schools inside the boundary
There are 71 public schools inside the boundary and 21 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (55 miles away).
Bottom line
Spokane's strongest points are rent below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are crime rates above the national average and air quality that falls short of national benchmarks. A year of median rent ($1,215/mo) equals 21% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget, remote workers (15% of workers here already work from home), and people who want short commutes.
Other places near Spokane
All Washington guides →Moving to Fairwood CDP (Spokane County) →
7 mi away · pop. 10,674
Rent $1,208/mo · Income $91,988
Compare with Spokane →Moving to Airway Heights →
7 mi away · pop. 11,245
Rent $1,389/mo · Income $62,874
Compare with Spokane →Moving to Spokane Valley →
9 mi away · pop. 106,365
Rent $1,353/mo · Income $74,042
Compare with Spokane →