Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Spokane?

Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Spokane?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Spokane?

Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Aberdeen vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Aberdeen

South Dakota

$740/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $740 in Aberdeen, SD versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Aberdeen, SD is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,715 in Aberdeen, SD and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 3% higher in Spokane, WA. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Aberdeen, SD

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$529

$884

+67% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$576

$903

+57% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$824

$1,192

+45% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$924

$1,442

+56% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$205,500

$326,200

+59% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,715

$65,745

+3% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$54,660

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.8 yr

37.2 yr

+1.4 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

58.4%

58.3%

+0.1 pp in Aberdeen, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.6%

32.6%

+1.0 pp in Aberdeen, SD

Avg Commute

11.1 min

21.2 min

+10.1 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

275

683.6

+149% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,421.2

4,931.8

+247% in Spokane, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

48.9°F

+5.9°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

21.7 in

17.8 in

+3.9 in in Aberdeen, SD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.26/gal

+37% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.4

14.9

+3% in Aberdeen, SD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.26

$21.34

+40% in Spokane, WA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Aberdeen, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Aberdeen, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SD / WA)

4.2%

6.5%

+2.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Aberdeen vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Spokane?: Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Spokane?: Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).