Is Spokane Valley Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Spokane Valley, located in eastern Washington near the Idaho border, is a vibrant city with a unique blend of history, outdoor recreation, and community spirit.

Just a short drive from Spokane, this city offers a quieter yet equally charming alternative to its larger neighbor.

It also sits at a nice midway point between Spokane and the lake town of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Spokane Valley’s history is rooted in agriculture.

The fertile valley was known for its apple orchards, dairy farms, and, later, as a significant area for manufacturing and commerce.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Spokane Valley is a paradise.

The Centennial Trail, which runs along the Spokane River, is perfect for biking, hiking, and enjoying scenic views.

If you’re into water activities, the Spokane River is ideal for kayaking and fishing.

As a growing residential area, most of the attractions here are connected to suburban life amenities.

Shopping and dining options are plentiful, although not very diverse.

Spokane Valley Mall is a central shopping hub.

However, you’ll likely need to leave Spokane Valley to enjoy the bulk of amenities in the region.

We’ve got you covered with articles on each city, but let’s focus on Spokane Valley for now.

Warnings & Dangers in Spokane Valley

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's an average risk in Spokane Valley, but for argument's sake, we'll call it a low risk. The biggest concern here is property crime, and the only downside is that there isn't a lot to do in the valley.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Spokane Valley's public transportation is managed by Spokane Transit Authority (STA), offering bus services across the city and neighboring areas. With multiple routes, frequent schedules, and connections to downtown Spokane, STA ensures convenient commuting. Taxis, rideshares, and rental cars are widely available.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

About four pickpockets or purse snatching happen each year, which is a low risk. However, overall theft rates are exponentially higher than the national average, so don't let your guard down with your vehicle or personal items.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Spokane Valley faces risks from natural disasters such as wildfires, especially during dry summer months, and occasional flooding due to heavy rain or rapid snowmelt. The closer to the Spokane River you are, the more problematic that flooding risk could be. Treat it as a medium risk, and don't plan any adventures without checking the forecast.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery rate is 12% lower than the national average, and just 13% of robberies are highway robberies, leaving this a low risk. However, you should still use proper personal safety precautions to keep the risk low.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Spokane Valley has a low terrorism risk, with no significant incidents reported historically. Local law enforcement and federal agencies work together to monitor and address potential threats. The bigger risks here would be gun crimes connected to local drug issues.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The police department and local sheriff’s office will post the latest scams on social media. Check the fraud section of each department’s website for more information and to learn about common tactics. Most scams reported in recent years target residents, so the risk is low for visitors.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are statistically a little less likely to be victims of a violent crime. The sexual assault state is at the national average. You want to use enhanced personal safety measures, but there isn't an overwhelming risk that should deter you from visiting Spokane Valley.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 report for Spokane Valley shows all standards were met or exceeded.

Safest Places to Visit in Spokane Valley

The city’s tourism website is discoverspokanevalley.com.

It does cover regional attractions as well, but you might also want to review visitspokane.com to get a guide dedicated to the valley’s neighbor.

It will also be helpful to check out coeurdalene.org.

Since Coeur d’Alene (Core da-lane) is in Idaho, you won’t find a lot of overlapping attractions between different states’ tourism sites.

It’s a good idea to start at the Spokane Valley Heritage Center, a place filled with artifacts and exhibits about the 160-year history of this city.

It covers eras dating back to the ancient Indigenous people through the agricultural boom to the modern day.

In fact, Spokane Valley has only been incorporated since the early 2000s, so there’s a lot to unpack at this museum.

Spokane Valley Mall is about as much of downtown as you’ll find here, and it’s a great place to stay if you want to be close to restaurants and shopping.

The Centennial Trail runs through Spokane Valley along the river, part of its 40-mile journey from Nine Mile Falls to the west and the state line to the east.

It is perfect for cycling, walking, or jogging.

I would recommend taking it to Riverfront Park in Spokane, at least.

Dishman Hills Natural Area is a 530-acre natural preserve known for its diverse ecosystems and geological formations.

It features over 10 miles of hiking trails that wind through forests, meadows, and rocky outcrops.

Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, wildlife spotting, and exploring unique basalt rock formations,

The Iller Creek Conservation Area has a five-mile loop that gives wonderful views over the Palouse and includes a great rock climbing location.

For more information on that activity, look up “Bick Rocks” or “Rocks of Sharon.”

For a rainy day or cold winter’s day, Flight 509 Family Entertainment Center offers an arcade, VR games, bumper cars, rope courses, and so much more to keep everyone active and happy.

The Hangar Cafe offers lunch and dinner options, too.

As a busy suburban area, you’ll also find trampoline parks, escape rooms, bowling alleys, a roller skating rink, and community pools in the summer.

Mount Spokane is about an hour north of Spokane Valley.

The mountain has a state park and Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.

The summit is just shy of 5,900 feet.

The park has 100 miles of trails.

The ski season runs from December 1 through March 31.

Places to Avoid in Spokane Valley

Spokane Valley is so hit or miss that it’s hard to nail down the most dangerous neighborhoods.

There aren’t parts of town that are too dangerous to drive through, but a few might make you feel a bit sketchy.

The lack of urban planning has created an unorganized sprawl.

The city isn’t walkable, and there’s no downtown area to stroll through.

It can, at times, feel like one long strip mall leading from Spokane to Idaho.

Especially when you compare the charm of Spokane and the beauty of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the only reason you’d choose Spokane Valley is for the lower cost of accommodations.

I recommend you use the crime mapping tool from the police department to check for crimes around a selected hotel in the past month.

For example, I looked up one hotel to ensure the tool works for you, and one decent hotel had five aggravated assaults at a pharmacy in front of it over the past six months.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Spokane Valley

Spokane Valley has a local police department, but it does contract some shared services with Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. You can follow both on Facebook @SpokaneValleyPolice and @SpokaneCountySheriffsOffice. The phone number for the police department in Spokane Valley is (509) 477-3300 if you want to ask specific questions.
Alert Spokane is the name of the emergency notification system that covers the county. You can sign up for free and choose if you want emails, phone calls, or text messages when alerts are issued. CodeRED is the app used to send these messages, which is easy to download from the app store of your choice.
The law enforcement agencies in this region share a crime mapping tool. This allows users to set specific parameters on the interactive map and then find out about recent crimes. For example, you might want to see if any drug busts have happened near the hotel you’re considering.
Use the Spokane 911 website to get information about natural disasters and other risks in this area. The Spokane Regional Emergency Communications group has an app that offers all the safety and contact information you could need during a visit.
The city of Spokane Valley also offers a separate version of alerts through the Notify Me program. This will include things like road work, snow plow routes, and other hyper-local public safety messages.
Check the air quality daily through an app like IQ Air. Wildfires close by and even far away can cause unhealthy air quality levels. Inversion in the winter can choke the air of the valley. You can also call 509-477-4727 to reach the Spokane Regional Clean Air organization.
You should also review the evacuation levels and what they each mean, as an approaching wildfire could cause immediate evacuations. It’s especially important to know your evacuation route if you’re staying in a place far from the interstate.
The Spokane Valley 311 app is another great tool to have, as it allows you to report issues like potholes or storm damage.
Anglers are required to carry a license from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. You can purchase that license online.
Like many American cities, Spokane Valley is dealing with an overwhelming number of homeless people. This could lead you to see panhandlers at busy intersections or homeless camps near parks. You should avoid these areas, and if you want to donate, choose to donate your money to a homeless organization that helps find permanent housing.

So... How Safe Is Spokane Valley Really?

Spokane Valley’s violent crime rate is 8% lower than the national and state averages as of 2022.

It’s also 48% lower than the crime rate in Spokane the same year.

At the same time, it’s 38% higher than Liberty Lake to its east.

About 78% of violent crimes in Spokane Valley are between people who know each other, leaving the risk of a random act of violence even lower for visitors.

The bigger concern is theft, which comes in at 124% higher than the national average.

About 28% of all thefts are car break-ins, the highest theft category over the past five years.

Many of those are due to cars being left unlocked.

Another 28% is due to shoplifting.

That has been a problem in Spokane Valley since I lived there in 2003.

The number of thefts in a year hasn’t dropped below 3,000 since 2010, when the population was 15% smaller.

Even more concerning is the 11 cars (on average) that are stolen each week.

You can’t afford to let vehicle safety steps slip here.

Lock your car, remove personal items, secure the windows, and don’t leave paperwork with personal information inside.

One of the challenges with fighting crime in Spokane Valley is the population growth without an additional increase in police officers.

There’s just no funding for that.

“An increase in the population is driving our calls for service,” Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave said in early 2024.

“It’s something that we’ve seen steadily since incorporation, and it seems like it’s accelerated even more for the last five, six years.”

Spokane Valley is a place where you need to keep your own business.

With growing drug problems and domestic crime, you don’t want to risk being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

For the most part, you’ll likely be leaving the valley to see more of the attractions outside the city limits.

You can review our articles about the surrounding communities in Washington and Idaho to get a feel for those areas, too.

How Does Spokane Valley Compare?

City	Safety Index
Spokane Valley	62
Orlando	64
Las Vegas	62
San Francisco	61
Philadelphia	60
Houston	59
Atlanta	58
Manama (Bahrain)	54
Tianjin (China)	67
Brussels (Belgium)	60
Shanghai (China)	66
Belize City (Belize)	37
La Paz (Bolivia)	52

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

Spokane Valley gets dynamic versions of each season, with bitterly cold winters that seem to sneak in starting in late October and summers that are far too short, with July and August peaking in the upper 80s. While the valley isn't the snowiest place in the region, bring snow accessories for the skiing mountains nearby.

Airports

Spokane International Airport (GEG) is an easy 15-mile interstate drive from Spokane Valley. Seattle International Airport is quite a haul - almost five hours over the mountains.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Spokane Valley Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan -2° C

Feb 0° C

Mar 4° C

Apr 8° C

May 13° C

Jun 17° C

Jul 21° C

Aug 21° C

Sep 16° C

Oct 9° C

Nov 2° C

Dec -2° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	1	4	9	14	19	23	29	28	23	14	5	1
Low °C	-5	-4	-1	2	6	10	13	13	8	3	-2	-5
High °F	34	39	48	57	66	73	84	82	73	57	41	34
Low °F	23	25	30	36	43	50	55	55	46	37	28	23

Washington - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Anacortes	82
Bainbridge Island	85
Bellevue	84
Diablo	78
Forks	85
Gig Harbor	75
Kennewick	40
Kent	42
Kettle Falls	78
Longview	82
Mercer Island	82
Moses Lake	46
Neah Bay	77
Ocean Shores	79
Olympia	57
Port Angeles	72
Port Townsend	81
Poulsbo	79
Pullman	79
Quinault	82
Renton	70
San Juan Islands	83
Seabrook	78
Seattle	55
Sequim	77
Snoqualmie	78
Spokane	74
Spokane Valley	62
Tacoma	38
Walla Walla	72
Wenatchee	80
Westport	78
Yakima	62

Is Spokane Valley Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Washington : Safety by City