Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Phoenix and Spokane have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Arizona salaries · Washington salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Phoenix has a housing index of 102 while Spokane sits at 94 (national average = 100). The median home in Phoenix costs $350,000 compared to $310,000 in Spokane, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Phoenix versus $1,200 in Spokane.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Phoenix scores 99 while Spokane scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Phoenix (95) are lower than Spokane (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Phoenix is $57,459 compared to $48,834 in Spokane. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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