Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
17% cheaper
Spokane is 17% more affordable than Denver. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $62,288 in Spokane.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Washington salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Spokane sits at 94 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $310,000 in Spokane, a difference of $210,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,200 in Spokane.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Spokane scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Spokane (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $48,834 in Spokane. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Spokane.
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