Spokane vs Santa Rosa: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Spokane, Washington compare to Santa Rosa, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Spokane is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 57% lower in Spokane compared to Santa Rosa, while rent is 48% lower. WA has no state income tax.
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Santa Rosa, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $286,900 | $661,700 | -56.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 | $2,024 | -47.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $63,316 | $92,604 | -31.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $36,513 | $46,804 | -22.0% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 13.3% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.3% | 8.7% | +7.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 227,922 | 178,221 | +27.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Spokane
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Santa Rosa
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Spokane costs $286,900 compared to $661,700 in Santa Rosa — a 57% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,060/mo in Spokane vs $2,024/mo in Santa Rosa.
- Income: Median household income is $63,316 in Spokane and $92,604 in Santa Rosa.
- Taxes: Washington has no state income tax, while California has a 13.3% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).