Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Salem or Spokane?

Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Salem vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Salem, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,900 in Salem, OR and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 9% higher in Salem, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Salem, OR

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,075

$884

+18% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$989

$903

+9% in Salem, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,337

$1,192

+11% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,778

$1,442

+19% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$382,400

$326,200

+15% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$71,900

$65,745

+9% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,310

$54,660

+1% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.2 yr

+1.5 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

55.7%

58.3%

+2.6 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.4%

32.6%

+1.2 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

22.4 min

21.2 min

+1.2 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

540.6

683.6

+26% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

2,878.6

4,931.8

+71% 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

53.0°F

48.9°F

+4.1°F in Salem, OR

Annual Precipitation

39.7 in

17.8 in

+21.9 in in Salem, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$5.12/gal

+1% in Spokane, WA

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

14.9

+8% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$20.41

+1% in Salem, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / WA)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

None

+9.9 pp in OR

Salem vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Salem than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Salem or Spokane?: Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).