Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Spokane, WA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Spokane

Washington
90

San Francisco is 197% more expensive than Spokane.

$2,419/mo ↑ 112%
Median Rent
$1,141/mo ↓ 53%
$141,446/yr ↑ 115%
Median Income
$65,745/yr ↓ 54%
$1,380,500 ↑ 323%
Home Value
$326,200 ↓ 76%
$2,620/mo ↑ 116%
Owner Costs
$1,213/mo ↓ 54%
836,321
Population
229,228

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Spokane, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 90 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,278/month cheaper in Spokane, saving renters about $15,336/year.

Median household income is $75,701/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $326,200 in Spokane.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Spokane residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Spokane — common questions

Is San Francisco or Spokane cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Spokane is cheaper to live in with an index of 90 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Spokane?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Spokane it's $1,141/month — a difference of $1,278/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Spokane?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $65,745 in Spokane. Median household income is $75,701/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Spokane?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Spokane has a cost index of 90 with rent of $1,141/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Spokane details →

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