City Comparison

Kent vs Spokane

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

Spokane

Washington
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,834
Median Income

The Verdict

39.8%

Living in Spokane costs 39.8% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $53,650 in Spokane.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
195
Kent
94
Spokane
Groceries
109
Kent
99
Spokane
Utilities
92
Kent
98
Spokane
Transportation
117
Kent
101
Spokane
Healthcare
122
Kent
102
Spokane

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $53,650 in Spokane.

Conversely, $75,000 in Spokane equals $104,847 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs Spokane

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Spokane's 94, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $310,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,200/mo in Spokane, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 99 in Spokane. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $470/month in Spokane. Spokane offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 98 in Spokane. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $392 in Spokane. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 102 in Spokane. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $48,834 in Spokane. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $49,831 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,139/month in Spokane. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo fits within this budget. In Spokane, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 101 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spokane is 39.8% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,650 in Spokane, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while Spokane's is 94 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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