Median rent is 14% lower in Spokane ($1,215/mo vs $1,421/mo). Buying is cheaper in Spokane, where the median home runs $363,500 versus $374,800. Households earn more in Fresno ($70,991 vs $70,064 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 92.4 — about 1% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 92.4 in Spokane (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Spokane, WA
How much would you need to earn in Spokane, WA to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$75,429
You'd need $429 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Fresno
California
Spokane
Washington
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Spokane at $1,215/mo compared to $1,421/mo in Fresno (14% gap). Median home values are within 3% of each other: $374,800 in Fresno and $363,500 in Spokane.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Spokane
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Fresno averages 53.0 AQI (Moderate) and Spokane averages 52.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Spokane if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,215/mo median).
Is Fresno cheaper than Spokane?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 92.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Fresno vs Spokane?
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,215/mo in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Fresno or Spokane?
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $70,064 in Spokane, WA. Fresno, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Spokane, WA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 53.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fresno or Spokane?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Spokane to match my Fresno income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,572 in Spokane, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
