Is it cheaper to live in Huntsville or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Huntsville, AL's $1,090, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Huntsville or Spokane?

Huntsville is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Huntsville vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Huntsville, AL versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Huntsville, AL, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $70,778 in Huntsville, AL and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 7% higher in Huntsville, AL. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Huntsville, AL

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$815

$884

+8% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$900

$903

+0% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,192

+10% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,251

$1,442

+15% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$263,100

$326,200

+24% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$70,778

$65,745

+7% in Huntsville, AL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,740

$54,660

+6% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

37.2 yr

+0.8 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

58.1%

58.3%

+0.2 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.2%

32.6%

+13.6 pp in Huntsville, AL

Avg Commute

19.3 min

21.2 min

+1.9 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

483.2

683.6

+41% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

2,395.7

4,931.8

+106% 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

62.1°F

48.9°F

+13.2°F in Huntsville, AL

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

17.8 in

+36.6 in in Huntsville, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.26/gal

+45% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.9

+9% in Huntsville, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.06

$21.34

+11% in Huntsville, AL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Huntsville, AL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / WA)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

None

+5.0 pp in AL

Huntsville vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Huntsville or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Huntsville, AL's $1,090, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Huntsville than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Huntsville versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Huntsville or Spokane?: Huntsville is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).