Is it cheaper to live in Spokane or Tampa?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Spokane versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Spokane or Tampa?

Spokane is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Spokane vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,070 in Spokane, WA versus $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,745 in Spokane, WA and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 8% higher in Tampa, FL. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Spokane, WA

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$884

$1,242

+40% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$903

$1,324

+47% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,192

$1,673

+40% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,442

$1,729

+20% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$326,200

$375,300

+15% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$65,745

$71,302

+8% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,660

$48,940

+10% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.2 yr

35.6 yr

+1.6 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

58.3%

50.2%

+8.1 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.6%

44.6%

+12.0 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

21.2 min

24.7 min

+3.5 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

683.6

443.2

+35% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

4,931.8

1,473.2

+70% 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

48.9°F

73.4°F

+24.5°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

17.8 in

46.3 in

+28.5 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.12/gal

$3.77/gal

+26% in Spokane, WA

Area: Washington vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

15.2

+1% in Tampa, FL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.41

$23.62

+16% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tampa, FL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WA / FL)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

about equal

Spokane vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Spokane or Tampa?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Spokane than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Spokane versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Spokane or Tampa?: Spokane is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% 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).