Living Cost Compare
Lewiston

Maine

$1,070/mo est.

vs
Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,070 in Lewiston, ME versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $56,558 in Lewiston, ME and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 14% higher in Spokane, WA. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Lewiston, ME
Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio
$559
$884
+58% in Spokane, WA
1 Bedroom
$749
$903
+21% in Spokane, WA
2 Bedroom
$1,047
$1,192
+14% in Spokane, WA
3 Bedroom
$1,209
$1,442
+19% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$214,200
$326,200
+52% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income
$56,558
$65,745
+16% in Spokane, WA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,540
$54,660
+10% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
37.8 yr
37.2 yr
+0.6 yr in Lewiston, ME
Homeownership
50.3%
58.3%
+8.0 pp in Spokane, WA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
21.7%
32.6%
+10.9 pp in Spokane, WA
Avg Commute
20.7 min
21.2 min
+0.5 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
244.5
683.6
+180% in Spokane, WA
Property Crime
1,616.5
4,931.8
+205% 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
45.8°F
48.9°F
+3.1°F in Spokane, WA
Annual Precipitation
51.1 in
17.8 in
+33.3 in in Lewiston, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$5.26/gal
+34% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
29.6
14.9
+50% in Lewiston, ME
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$31.62
$21.34
+33% in Lewiston, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Spokane, WA
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$2.04
+6% in Spokane, WA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$7.36
+7% in Spokane, WA
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.01
+8% in Lewiston, ME
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.70
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ME / WA)
5.5%
6.5%
+1.0 pp in WA
Income Tax (top rate)
7.15%
None
+7.2 pp in ME

Lewiston vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lewiston or Spokane?
They're close. Lewiston, ME runs about $1,070 a month and Spokane, WA about $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lewiston than in Spokane?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Lewiston versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Lewiston or Spokane?
Lewiston is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% 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).