Median rent is 8% lower in Spokane ($1,215/mo vs $1,324/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $235,700 versus $363,500. Households earn more in Spokane ($70,064 vs $65,056 a year). Taken together, Spokane is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.4 against 94.3 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Spokane, WA.
Cost of living verdict
Spokane is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.4 in Spokane vs 94.3 in San Antonio (US national average = 100)
City A
San Antonio, TX
City B
Spokane, WA
How much would you need to earn in Spokane, WA to maintain your standard of living from San Antonio, TX?
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$73,450
You could earn $1,550 less (2% lower) and break even.
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
San Antonio
Texas
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 $1,324/mo in San Antonio (8% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Spokane: the median home is $363,500 versus $235,700 in San Antonio — 35% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Spokane
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Spokane has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 71.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Spokane if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,064/yr).
Pick Spokane if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 52.0).
Is San Antonio cheaper than Spokane?
Spokane is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.4 versus 94.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Spokane.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Spokane?
Median rent is $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX and $1,215/mo in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — San Antonio or Spokane?
Median household income is $65,056 in San Antonio, TX and $70,064 in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA 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 71.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — San Antonio or Spokane?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Spokane to match my San Antonio income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in San Antonio, TX is equivalent to roughly $97,934 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
