Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Spokane?

Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Richmond vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,671 in Richmond, VA and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 5% higher in Spokane, WA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Richmond, VA

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,183

$884

+25% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,195

$903

+24% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,374

$1,192

+13% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,447

$1,442

+0% in Richmond, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$328,100

$326,200

+1% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,671

$65,745

+5% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,460

$54,660

+6% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.5 yr

37.2 yr

+2.7 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

43.5%

58.3%

+14.8 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.1%

32.6%

+11.5 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

22.1 min

21.2 min

+0.9 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

349

683.6

+96% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

3,240.2

4,931.8

+52% 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

58.9°F

48.9°F

+10.0°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

43.6 in

17.8 in

+25.8 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.6

14.9

+15% in Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.66

$20.41

+14% in Richmond, VA

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 Richmond, VA

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 (VA / WA)

5.3%

6.5%

+1.2 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

None

+5.8 pp in VA

Richmond vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Richmond or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Richmond than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Richmond versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Richmond or Spokane?: Richmond is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).