A-
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
17%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Spokane Valley Washington National
Cost of living108118100
Goods & Services100111100
Groceries111110100
Health care112120100
Housing117135100
Transportation118123100
Utilities9792100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Spokane Valley, WA

The cost of living in Spokane Valley affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Spokane Valley is 108, which is 8% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Spokane Valley closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Spokane Valley can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Spokane Valley is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 10.8% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Spokane Valley?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 6 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Spokane Valley. The results indicated that 50% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 50% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Spokane Valley Affordable?

Is Spokane Valley an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Spokane Valley is 22.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 2.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Spokane Valley has a median household income of $56,351, which is 1.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Spokane Valley?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Spokane Valley, the housing index is 16.6% higher than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Spokane Valley, the transportation index is 17.5% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Spokane Valley, the groceries index is 10.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Spokane Valley displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Spokane Valley is 8% lower than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Spokane Valley is 8% higher than the national average
  • Spokane Valley housing is 17% higher than the national average
  • Washington general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Washington state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Spokane Valley

See all the best places to live around Spokane Valley

Compare Spokane Valley, WA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$70,592$5,883$1,647$2,118
      Renters$39,798$3,317$929$1,194
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Spokane Valley, WA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Spokane Valley homeowners, is $70,592. This would allow for a maximum of $1,647 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $39,798 which would result in a maximum of $929 to be spent on rental costs.

      Washington Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Washington 6.5% 10.4%

      Washington Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Washington 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Spokane Valley National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.83$24.2614.7%
      Beauty Salon $51.82$45.5613.7%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.280.6%
      Movie $14.89$12.1322.7%
      Bowling $23.19$18.0028.8%

      Groceries

      Item Spokane Valley National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.17$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.22$1.5741.0%
      Milk $4.92$4.675.3%
      Potatoes $4.89$4.930.9%
      Pizza $11.23$12.097.1%
      Beer $11.57$10.4111.1%

      Health Care

      Item Spokane Valley National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $165.73$125.6831.9%
      Doctor $168.55$135.7824.1%
      Dentist $118.01$113.294.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.49$10.657.9%
      Lipitor $477.18$468.601.8%

      Housing

      Item Spokane Valley National avg. Difference
      Home Price $226,800.00$184,700.0022.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,282.29$2,346.692.7%
      Apartment Rent $969.00$949.002.1%

      Transportation

      Item Spokane Valley National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.30$3.4624.2%
      Tire Balancing $60.58$59.921.1%

      Utilities

      Item Spokane Valley National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $178.20$193.998.1%
      Phone $201.25$192.254.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      State Line, ID141054.7%
      Rockford, WA4181010.9%
      Millwood, WA1,7421032.5%
      Spokane, WA219,1851055.3%
      Town and Country, WA5,4021088.3%
      Spokane Valley, WA99,2751088.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Carmel, IN99,13012020.0%
      Roanoke, VA99,122927.9%
      Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC99,027n/a 
      Lee's Summit, MO98,9971032.7%
      Kenosha, WI99,767982.3%
      Spokane Valley, WA99,2751088.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.