Lakewood vs Spokane
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Spokane
The Verdict
Spokane is 35.7% less expensive than Lakewood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lakewood would need approximately $55,263 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $55,263 in Spokane.
Conversely, $75,000 in Spokane equals $101,786 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Spokane
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Spokane's 94, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $310,000. The $264,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,160 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,200/mo in Spokane, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 99 in Spokane. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $470/month in Spokane. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 85 in Lakewood and 98 in Spokane. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $392 in Spokane. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 102 in Spokane. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $48,834 in Spokane. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $49,831 respectively. Lakewood residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,139/month in Spokane. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 94 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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