Spokane, a city located in the eastern part of Washington State, is a unique and vibrant city, rich in history.
There are a plethora of reasons that attract people from across the United States to move to Spokane, Washington, because of great schooling, affordable housing, vibrant nightlife, and great job opportunities.
The city has a population of around 204,400 residents and is considered to be a mid-sized city in Washington.
But apart from this, Spokane has a lot to offer its residents in terms of amenities and a good quality of life.
There are many advantages as well as disadvantages to moving to this city.
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Pros of Living in Spokane, Washington
1. Cost of living
Although the cost of living in Spokane is 5% higher than the national average, there are various affordable neighborhoods to choose from.
It is pretty manageable to live on an annual income of around $50,000 per year if you are a single person or have a small family.
While the average home price in Spokane is around $445,000 it is not uncommon to be able to pick up a three-bedroom home for about $300,00.
It is commonly understood that housing prices are one of the major contributing factors that drive up the cost of living in an area.
And, as such, with housing prices being quite affordable in Spokane, it is very possible to become a homeowner in this city.
In addition, to the cost of housing is the cost of other household expenses that are below the national average, such as utilities, groceries, health insurance, and transportation.
The cost of living in Spokane is about 4% lower than the national average.
2. Vibrant nightlife
Spokane offers a vibrant nightlife to residents that simply does not disappoint.
From lively bars feature a variety of different types of entertainment, from karaoke, to live music, and more.
There are two venues that frequently get sold out by major artists: the Spokane Arena and Northern Quest Resort.
In addition to live music and entertainment are the various restaurants in the city that cater to every type of taste and preference, with some of the most delicious cuisines from all over the world.
The city has everything depending on your preferred night-out, from all-out clubbing to a more relaxed dinner and drinks.
All with great mood music.
3. Family friendly
The neighbors in Spokane are friendly and welcoming.
Individual neighborhoods encourage a strong sense of community.
You will be greeted in the streets with a warm smile and a genuine interest in how your day is going.
Neighbors are eager to lend a helping hand and will go out of their way to assist you.
There is plenty to explore, such as numerous lakes, mountains, and hiking trails with easy access to it all.
Most of the offerings in Spokane are family-friendly and the culture of the city is built around family fun and spending quality time together.
The city offers something for everyone in a safe and cozy environment.
4. Great weather
Spokane has a good climate.
The city basically only has two seasons.
Spokane’s summertime is clear, hot, dry, and does not last long.
With an average of 174 days of sunshine each year.
The climate in Spokane can be described as a warm summer, continental climate.
This means that the city has a very rare climate that is created by significant winter precipitation as well as its elevation.
The winter gets very cold, cloudy, and snowy.
During the wintertime, the city may see as much as 44 inches of snow.
In addition, the city gets around 17 inches of rain each year.
No matter the weather, the city’s motto “near nature, near perfect” says it all.
There are many indoor and outdoor activities to do.
The city and the climate cater to a range of activities that may be enjoyed by the whole family.
This is actually great weather and families get to enjoy beautiful summers and stunning winters under a thick blanket of snow.
5. No traffic jams
The flow of traffic is easy and the conditions for driving are good in Spokane.
The city rarely experiences congestion on the roads as the infrastructure is well laid out and can easily accommodate the current population.
Even during the summertime when the city sees a slight increase in tourism, there is very little congestion on the roads.
The population of 219,185 residents has a lot to do with the fact that the city experiences little to no congestion.
6. No extreme weather
Extreme weather is something that most Americans are used to.
Whether you live in the north or south of the country, you may experience some kind of extreme weather, from tornadoes, and hurricanes, to flash floods, and wildfires.
However, Spokane, for the most part, is shielded from most of the extreme weather conditions.
There are no hurricane or tornado threats in this part of the United States.
The city also does not experience any earthquakes.
This is a major benefit of living in the city of Spokane.
There are, however, accounts of flash flooding in the area that may disrupt life.
But that is minor in comparison to other cities and states that experience the absolute worst in words in terms of extreme weather.
7. Great outdoor hiking trails
Hiking is one of the most prominent things to do in Spokane.
It is an absolute outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
There are various hiking trails and treks to choose from in and around the city.
The beautiful landscape surrounds all sides of the city, which enables new hiking trails every day.
It is known to be one of the few towns in the U.S. through which a river runs.
There are countless amounts of hiking trails to explore, from family-friendly to challenging & remote.
Some of the more popular trails include:
- Fryxell Overlook, Palouse Falls State Park
- Bowl and Pitcher, Riverside State Park
- Rimrock Drive, Palisades Park
- Riverside State Park Trail 25, Deep Creek Canyon
- Knothead Loop, Little Spokane River Natural Area
- Lower Kit Carson Loop, Mount Spokane State Park
- Rocks of Sharon, Iller Creek Conservation Area
- Emerald Necklace Trail, Antoine Peak Conservation Area
Cons of Living in Spokane, Washington
1. High crime
Unfortunately, Spokane has one of the highest crime rates of any U.S city.
There have been dramatic increases in violent crime, from rape to homicides.
The violent crime rate was lower than the national rate in 2020 in the metropolitan area.
The property crime rate was higher than the national rate.
The overall crime rate is exceptionally high in Spokane.
This may deter anyone from wanting to move here at all.
Overall, Spokane experiences an average of about 800 incidents of crime per 100,000 residents.
These crimes include both a range of property crimes and violent crimes.
The city seems to have been seeing an upward trend in crime stats over the past few years, with each new year seeing an increase in both property crimes and violent crime rates.
And, while the city may be regarded as a family-friendly city, due to the variety of great amenities offered and the high standard of living, these factors are mitigated by the high and increasing crime rate.
2. Pollution
Sadly, another drawback of this beautiful city is its air pollution.
Spokane ranks high on the list of the worst cities to live in America with regard to pollution.
And, more specifically, air pollution.
In fact, in a report released by the American Lung Association, Spokane made it to the 15th position in the United States, as one of the most polluted cities in all states.
This may be another major deterrent that will prevent pop from wanting to move to this beautiful city.
3. Cold winters
Winters in Spokane can get pretty brutal.
It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop well below 20°F during the height of winter.
It is estimated that 2008 and 2016 were two of the most severe winters experienced by this city.
Spokane sees an average of around 44 inches of snow each year that falls over a period of 34 days during the winter time.
The winters in Spokane can get extremely cold and residents are often prepared to weather the cold conditions.
If you do not mind such low temperatures and you actually enjoy this type of cold, Spokane may be right for you.
If not, you may find it exceptionally hard to adapt to the colder weather in this city.
Pros and Cons of Living in Spokane, WA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Spokane, Washington | Cons of Living in Spokane, Washington |
|---|---|
| 1. Cost of living | 1. High crime |
| 2. Vibrant nightlife | 2. Pollution |
| 3. Family friendly | 3. Cold winters |
| 4. Great weather | |
| 5. No traffic jams | |
| 6. No extreme weather | |
| 7. Great outdoor hiking trails |
Spokane Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Spokane Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Spokane WA have 4 seasons?
This is a question that gets asked quite often.
The truth is that Spokane does not have four seasons.
In fact, the city only really sees two seasons: summer and winter.
The winters are fairly long and cold and the summers can get quite hot and humid.
Is Spokane a good city to move to?
There are many advantages to making the move to Spokane.
Whether it is a good city to move to will depend on which advantages you prefer and which disadvantages you can tolerate.
Are people nice in Spokane?
Yes, for the most part, Spokane residents are quite warm and welcoming.
Is Spokane depressing?
This is the type of question that will depend on the person answering the question.
Some people may find that Spokane is a rather depressing place, especially in light of the colder winter months.
Other people may love Spokane for exactly that reason.
Is Spokane sunnier than Seattle?
Yes, Spokane experiences warmer weather conditions than Seattle and may see more sunny days throughout the year than Seattle does.
In fact, Seattle may experience more gray weather and be colder for longer during the year than Spokane.
