Washington state has as much character and charm as the pacific northwest can offer. Adding on the Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $67.80 for a total of $245.88 each month. Demand. Mr. MacDonald knows the pattern, and so does everyone else who has been following the frenetic U.S. housing market for the past decade. Finding affordable rental prices is more difficult in Spokane if you have pets. So youre thinking of moving to Spokane, WA but youre not completely sold yet? The public schools in Post Falls are above average. The median household income in Spokane County is $57,000. Best Places to Live | Compare cost of living, crime, cities, schools and more. Total Costs. According toAAA, that is spot on the national average. Five years ago, a little over half the homes in the Spokane area sold for less than $200,000, and about 70 percent of its employed population could afford to buy a home, according to a recent report commissioned by the Spokane Association of Realtors. You may wind up spending up to $321 per year in gasoline taxes at the pump in Spokane, Washington. Spokane is neither a high-tax or low-tax city, but the sales tax rate is high at 8.9%. than your current city. Property taxes are a necessary evil and cost for homeowners in Spokane, Washington, but rates are low in the county. The monthly cost can change erratically and weve wasted many hours on the phone and in person dealing with ghost charges, but compared to what neighbors have said, were lucky.. Looking for Farm Shares? This city makes up for that with the 1.15% property tax rate which can save you a fortune as a homeowner. It is possible that electric rates may fluctuate depending on consumption rates, government regulations and even the weather. And finally: cold winters. Read all about what winter is like in Spokane and what Spokane neighborhoods are like. Homes tend to cost 51.28% Thats just not my vision of what I want for me. Based on these numbers, even though the cost of living is lower in Spokane, you still need to seek out a higher-paying job to live there comfortably. To live comfortably in Spokane, a good salary would be about $50,000. Best Suburbs for Young Professionals in Idaho, Suburbs with the Best Public Schools in Idaho. But its dizzying (and enraging) to long-term residents. The further from the city you go, the more difficult it is to get good internet service. Use the link below to embed the infographic from our site and automatically keep the data layer up to date. Less than $500 of monthly ownership costs in Spokane come from bills, repairs, and maintenance. Some of the higher taxes, like liquor and sales, are made up for by the lack of state income tax for Spokane residents. Rent in Spokane is, on average, 59.0% lower than in New York. See All 31 Private Schools Near Post Falls. Or maybe your downtown is adjacent to a loud, busy freeway, making it impossible to enjoy. Standing by a snow-covered lawn on an overcast afternoon, Steve Silbar, a local real estate agent who has been selling homes for five years, explained Spokanes transformation in terms of a six-inch screen. Another thing that became cheaper/more accessible when we moved? How Much Does it Cost to Move to Spokane? living and what salary youll need to make in order to reach that standard. Thats still vastly less expensive than markets like the San Francisco Bay Area ($1.4 million), Los Angeles ($878,000), Seattle ($734,000) and Portland ($550,000). Out-of-state students who don't have Washington residence can expect a one year cost of $19,083. Its easier to change where we live than it is to change how we live. Ever since Spokane expanded its University District with more schools and programs, downtown has grown by leaps and bounds. - Median Home Cost is 19% more expensive in Post Falls. Looks for areas of Spokane, Washington where there is a large student population. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? The cost of living is 45.39% lower in Spokane, WA. It includes the Numerica SkyRide cable ride that offers views of the rushing Spokane Falls. 109 km or 68 mi . Gas prices are somewhat high in Spokane, and it can cost you $2,300 per year. Health related expenses are 24.3% more in Post Falls. National. Minors between the ages of 6 and 18 benefit from the summer youth pass for $40. One of the secretly great things about living in Spokane? because there just arent enough days in the year! They had always liked visiting and decided it would be a nice place to move. The rule of thumb is not to spend more than 30% of your total income on housing. On the other hand, you may find it a lot cheaper to live in Spokane in terms of utilities, transportation, health care and food. Many people like to stay indoors when it starts snowing, and thats fine! 2023 Everyday Spokane Journey Theme by Restored 316, The Pros and Cons of Living in Spokane, WA, 10. Make sure to share your thoughts over at our Facebook group, Getting to Know Spokane! If so, you may be wondering about Spokanes cost of living. Summary about cost of living in Spokane, WA, United States: Family of four estimated monthly costs are without rent (using our estimator). Post Falls is great place to live! . The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. Produce delivery from Full Circle! Coming from Phoenix, AZ, where we only got hot, hot summer and mild-ish winter/more like spring, moving to Spokane was a treat. Our utility costs have decreased in all aspects, including electricity, gas, water, and even internet. Compared to the national average,health care in Spokane is 14% higher. Post Falls is in Kootenai County. Pay attention to your gas mileage as you can spend up to $1,567 per year on gas due to the average 22-minute commute. Entertainment costs here are significantly less than what we experienced in Phoenix, too, since the City of Spokane offers many fun activities and events free year round. The average cost of a large house in Spokane, Washington, is about $300,000. The issues included young families not being able to buy or taking on excessive debt, small businesses not being able to hire, difficulty keeping young college graduates in town. Post Falls housing costs are 15.4% more expensive than Spokane Valley housing costs. The fact that our downtown park has several playscapes for kids of all ages, from an area for little ones to a climbing wall, basketball course and so much more. Follow along as we explore the cost of living in Spokane, Washington. CDA is not a big town. Even if your employer is covering the cost of a move, there will still be costs that are not covered. The overall cost of living for Spokane is 97.1, quite a bit lower than the index for Washington State of 131.1. Spokane's 215,000 residents also get to take advantage of its top-notch health care and education options, as well as diverse neighborhoods and housing choices ranging from super . In the summertime, you can also diversify your grocery list and potentially save on food prices by shopping at thefarmers markets in Spokane. . Using these numbers, we calculated the net change in annual disposable income that a move to the new city will have on your wallet and lifestyle. In these cases, youll use surface streets, which come with their own traffic lights, pedestrian crossing, etc. Builder-owners in Spokane are in luck as the average cost to build per square foot is $151.51 for construction and materials. The population was 38,485 at the time of the 2020 census, up from 17,247 in the 2000 census, making it Idaho's tenth-largest city. Its a fact of life and you become accustomed to it its not a surprise to see many Spokanites revel in the news that well get a snowstorm, since it means better ski conditions. Internet bills generally run Spokane residents $60-$70, but it varies based on your provider. From perfectly calibrated espresso shots to a typical coffee maker, and everything in between, there are many ways Termites are bad news for any homeowner, and they can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage and repairs to your home. To maintain your standard of living in Spokane, When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. This is all relative depending on where youre coming from, but overall its easy to get around the city. Single residents can get by on $300 per month or less on groceries in Spokane, Washington. The city was incorporated in 1881 and grew into a transportation hub for the surrounding mining and logging industries. Cable plans run between $25 and $70 or more in Spokane, Washington, and can be paired with the internet as well. Everyone also said wed never get a Chick-Fil-A, and we recently did, so never say never. We were able to sign up with direct primary care in Spokane, which wasnt an option when we lived in Phoenix. In the dominoes of the housing market, the disappointments of aspiring buyers like Ms. Simler get magnified as they move down to lower-income households. However, the average cost of living in Seattle is about 70% higher than the national average, with housing costs that more than triple the US average. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. Renting a studio apartment in Seattle averages $1,572 a month and a 4-bedroom costs roughly $3,086 per month. grade unavailable. However, we have found the cost of utilities at around $127 per month a fairly accurate number for us. If you plan to drive to work, also do some research on average traffic in your destination town or city. It offers affordable housing with a median home value of $335,100. Last year, Ms. Woodward declared a housing emergency, and her administration has put in place initiatives that mirror those of housing-troubled cities on the West Coast. Weve already gone over all of the outdoor activities you can enjoy around Spokane, but now were talking specific winter activities. If youre considering a move to Spokane, I highly encourage you to talk to people you know (if possible) and your realtor. Gas prices are somewhat high in Spokane, and it can cost you $2,300 per year. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement. lower in Spokane, Prices for goods and services in Post Falls are partly crowdsourced by our visitors, just like yourself. Of course, that price can largely increase by choosing premium materials, such as marble and hardwood. This post may contain affiliate links. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. Some employers have company provided day care centers that let you bring your child to work with you and receive care on site. Average low temperature: 27 degrees in December and January. Then it becomes 7+ hours of hell (ask me how I know!) Looking for a job in Spokane? Over the past few years, Spokane has grown from a quiet, family-friendly town to a town thats more welcoming to all, including retired folks, singles, people without kids, and many more. Julie Garcia, right, founder of Jewels Helping Hands in Spokane, at her organizations warming and food tent for people in need. In the years after the Great Recession, when homebuilders were in bankruptcy or hibernation, migration to the Spokane region plunged. The population was 27,574 at the 2010 census, up from 17,247 in 2000 census, making it Idaho's tenth largest city. You can hike, fish, camp, garden almost any outdoor activity you can imagine, you can enjoy all within an hour around Spokane. The median after-tax salary is $3887, which is enough to cover living expenses for 1.9 months. less than your current In Spokane County, Fairchild Air Force Base is the largest employer. We hope to see, as more people move to Spokane and live in Spokane, greater diversity of ideas, people, and of course, more delicious food. Once Daylight Saving time takes effect in November, expect it to get around 4 PM and not get light again until around 7 AM. 42 km or 26 mi: Spokane : $1980. That wasnt necessarily the case 15 years ago, when Spokane lacked many of my favorite stores (we were all very excited when Nordstroms Rack came to town!) Post Falls is in Kootenai County. Use a site like JobScan, which helps scan your resume and get it past resume robots. Full-time daycare can cost Spokane parents $7,000-$10,000 per year depending on the provider. . The crime rate is too high here. Those dont sound that bad! Well, just wait until September-early October when the little gnat-like bugs are swarming you, your kids, your dog everything you love, including your nostrils. An average two bedroom in Spokane according to BestPlaces.net only costs around $900 vs. $1150 for the US average. Sure, it was a hub for commerce, but it wasnt a pleasant place for families or events. One big change weve noticed? Checking rates won't affect your credit score. Healthcare and transportation costs are higher than the national averages, but groceries are slightly cheaper.Depending on your salary, where you choose to live, and what style of life you like to lead, you may find Spokane to be a bargain, somewhere in the middle or expensive! Everyday Spokane is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Monthly grocery expenses can rise to $400-$550 for family households, and it increases with each child. Yes. There is definitely quite a bit of traffic, particularly for people who work traditional hours in downtown Spokane and live out in Idaho, Liberty Lake, or Spokane Valley. Spokane, WA to Great Falls, MT. All of this happened fairly recently. Basic utilities, such as water, trash, and electricity cost an average of $140-$155 per month in Spokane. This is a very big deal for everyone, but particularly children, people with asthma, people with heart conditions plus, its just not great for anyone who wants to be outside! Even two-bedroom apartments are affordable in Spokane, and they generally start at $850-$1,000 per month. Seasonal Affective Disorder/SAD is another serious condition, and, whether or not you suffer from SAD, its a common complaint among Spokanites that the days are too short (especially after Daylight Saving Time). Other taxes, such as liquor tax, can get high in Spokane as well to the tune of 20.5%. The biggest ones are Centurylink and Xfinity (Comcast), and they are universally derided for one reason or the other (contracts, costs, speed, reliability, etc.). Compare today's top mortgage and refinancing providers. What Is The Cost Of Living In Ithaca, New York. If you find that the housing costs in your destination city is much higher than where you are now, it would be a good idea to research some nearby locations to find lower rents and mortgage rates. While unpleasant, its better than 4 PM! Are they worse than the Sunbelt states and the coasts? lower. After the pandemic hit and he and his wife went through a grand reprioritizing, they centered on Spokane, where their son went to college. All of this has compounded at the lowest end of the market, where the nonprofit Volunteers of Americas Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho affiliate, which runs three shelters and maintains 240 apartments for people who were formerly homeless, said it will lose a quarter of its units in the next fiscal year as more of its funding goes to higher rents. We travel a lot, and every city weve been to has consistently brought up the issue of homelessness and property crime. Sunny days: 171 sunny days per year. The typical home in the Spokane area is worth $411,000, according to Zillow. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Check out stores like Metro to buy items in bulk at a considerable savings. The sales tax for Spokane is 6.5%. Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and expert insights. Access to high quality cultural activities and discussions, lots of fun student activity, and a bustling environment. Is homelessness an issue, particularly in downtown Spokane? There are ways to save money on your food expenses if you plan carefully. Small Town Feel with Big City Amenities, Summary of Pros and Cons of Living in Spokane, WA, incredibly forward-thinking people from the 1970s, Washington State Director for the American Lung Association, The violent crime rate in Spokane is lower than the national rate, Pet Boarding in Spokane and Spokane Valley. You can read all aboutSpokanes main industries here. If youre a community supported agriculture or farmers market fan, youll find all of that in spades here in Spokane. Spokane is an affordable city that offers cheap and safe housing. The median home value in Spokane is $335,100, and the majority of homes have a value between 150,000 and $299,999. This means if you make a purchase, we may receive compensation at no cost to you. Admission for children 3 to 12 is $6.95 . Seasons! Spokane is a great place to move to if you like the outdoors, but its not all outdoor-centric! Absolutely not. Please view our full disclosure policy for more information. Private elementary schools are a great option, and the average tuition is $10,517 per year. But travel nursing is going to be my next step if I havent been able to land a house., From her seventh-floor office atop the Art Deco City Hall, Ms. Woodward, the mayor, looked out at the Spokane River, where in the warmer months a gondola glides past her window to a park built for the Worlds Fair. This is something we have found to be true, and one of the best parts of moving here. The cost of a monthly transit pass in Spokane, WA is around $45.00. One of the best examples of how family-friendly Spokane is? Yes, Spokane has them. That said, the rental and housing market is at an all-time low right now,as of early 2021. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Post Falls . Some items may be more expensive, since theyre local and produced in smaller batches, but you can find some amazing produce options and more you wont find at your local store. However, the records prove that the crime has reduced by 16% over the last year. This is 3.2% higher than the national average for government employees, and 6.5% higher than other counties. household income. The median household income in Spokane County is $57,000, according toCensusdata. - Post Falls housing costs are 11.4% less expensive than Woodland housing costs. The average energy bill inSpokaneis $127 a month. Its never really that crowded to try to see the fireworks, Santa, etc. Living here, you have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Get approval in minutes. There are some Spokane neighborhoods, like Manito and Garland, where walking is fun and easy. This year it went back on the market, and Mr. Silbar listed it for $250,000. I personally use Costcos optometrists department, and eye exams are right around that cost about $100, depending on the type of exam you are getting. When they moved to Spokane they paid less than a third of that. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. This is an issue I personally hope the City of Spokane addresses as the city grows. Average rainfall: 17 inches annually. Sometimes, you just want to go to Seattle, but you dread it because of the drive. Youll get all of that, plus seasonal activities throughout the year, including baseball, hockey, ice skating, hiking, gardening, and much, much more. Cost of Living change. Love Post Falls! With all of these costs associated with living in Spokane, you might be wondering: what do people typically earn here? 2023 Everyday Spokane Journey Theme by Restored 316, Economic Security Department of Washington, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, 10+ Graduation Gift Ideas for Spokane Grads. If you love hiking trails (visit Riverside State Park! It depends! Housing costs are low in Spokane, Washington, and thats why 51.1% of residents own their homes. Post Falls, Idaho. Overall, housing inventory will increase over spring and summer but remain relatively low. Daily bus passes cost $4, but you can save money with a $17 weekly pass. Just a few years ago, a Spokane household that made the median income could afford about two-thirds of the homes on the market, according to Zillow. knowledge handy before you move can help set expectations or help you decide to move somewhere else. The high school has higher private tuition and generally costs an average of $13,054 per year. ), several playscapes, basketball courts, food trucks, and more. For several years now, Spokane has been receiving high marks for something we wish we wouldnt: poor air quality and high air pollution. One of Mr. Silbars clients, Lindsey Simler, a 38-year-old nurse who grew up in Spokane, wants to buy a home in the $300,000 range but keeps losing out because she doesnt have enough cash to compete. Austin was the next city on their list, but then its home prices shot up to about where Seattles were when they left. If youre trying to figure out if Spokane, WA is the right city for you, check out our list of pros and cons below. Essentials, like a gallon of milk and one dozen eggs, are inexpensive and cost $3.00 and $2.20, respectively. Based on violent and property crime rates. As much as I love living in Spokane (just check out my Instagram its an homage to this city! Post Falls housing is 7% lower than the national average. As in most of urban America, much of the growth in the Spokane area is on the fringes, where heavy equipment and the skeletal outlines of new subdivisions unfold in every direction and into Idaho. In a market that attracts so many outsiders, a virtual walk through the interior and birds-eye flight over the street can be the nudge buyers need to bid on a home theyve never entered, in a city theyve never seen. Its not a stretch to say having so many universities close to downtown Spokane has been a huge win not only for Spokane residents, but also Spokane businesses. Utilities tend to cost 10.21% Spokane's cost of living is about 26.4% lower than the state average of 118.7, which is boosted primarily by the Seattle metro area. Homes in Spokane receive 2 offers on average and sell in around 25.5 days. Driving 4+ hours to Seattle is all fun and games until you want/need to do it more frequently, or until youre stuck in a massive traffic jam. People in town seem to love it, but are leery of there being more places like it, especially in their neighborhood. Because Spokane is not a huge public transportation city, you cannot find monthly passes beyond that. There are several colleges in Spokane that are well-regarded and have a great reputation. . Right now, you can fill up your tank for $3.51 per gallon in Spokane, Washington. With an estimated population of 38.5K, Post Falls is the 1164th largest city in the United States. There are opportunities to participate, get involved, attend events, and much more. A recent discussion onRedditshowed the variety of childcare costs around the city, with the average around $1200 a month per child (costs decrease the older the child is): As with health care, elder care in Spokane can vary widely depending on what you need, your insurance coverage, and more. All of that factors in to your perspective on crime in Spokane. This list is in no particular order! If you're looking for other great deals, check out the listings from Cliff - Cannon ($1,150), Nevada - Lidgerwood . You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. Housing in Spokane is much cheaper than housing in Seattle! If you love the changing leaf colors of fall, if you love seeing new blooms in the springtime, if you love a warm (sometimes hot!) As far as crime rates, I can only share anecdotes from family and friends as well as facts and statistics. Theyre high compared to Arizona. That sort of Goldilocks urbanity could cost a million in Austin, where he and his wife lived until last year. Is Spokane one of the worst cities for crime? Now their wish has been granted, and the city is grappling with the consequences. lower The average driver uses 656 gallons of . Unfortunately, as is common in many cities, your options for internet are limited. This is 3.2% higher thanthe national average for government employees, and 6.5% higher than other counties. Have you personally been affected by crime in your city? Thats okay neither was my husband when I first pitched Spokane to him! Its advisable that you only move to Spokane when you have secured a job (or at least one person in your family has secured a job) due to these issues. Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator lets you compare the cost of living and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. This is due to our fire season, which is increasingly becoming worse as climate change continues apace.