Spokane wins overall by ~15% (COL index)
Cost of living: Spokane vs Chicago (2026)
A $62,500 salary in Spokane buys roughly what $73,489 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$10,366/yr
Favoring Spokane for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $864/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~18 months and still keep ~$104/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Spokane Washington | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $63K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,500 | Spokane wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Spokane |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,900 | Spokane wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Spokane |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850Wins | $2,600 | Spokane wins +$750/mo | $9,000/yr saves in Spokane |
| Median home price | $330KBetter | $360K | Spokane wins +$30K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 102 | Spokane wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Wins | $15 | Spokane wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $54Better | $60 | Spokane wins +$6/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $62Wins | $105 | Spokane wins +$43/mo | $516/yr saves in Spokane |
| Gas price/gal | $3.70 | $3.40Better | Chicago wins −$0.30 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $165 | Spokane wins +$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $115Wins | $165 | Spokane wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Spokane |
| Internet/mo | $62Better | $65 | Spokane wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$9K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 4.9% | Spokane wins +4.9 pp | $3,063/yr saves in Spokane |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.0%Wins | 10.3% | Spokane wins +1.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Spokane wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Wins | $45 | Spokane wins +$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Wins | $7.00 | Spokane wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 91Wins | 107 | Spokane wins +16 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 46 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +32 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,072/yr tax difference into cash back
Spokane fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Spokane.
High-yield savings
Park ~$6,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spokane cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Spokane is 15% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (91 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Spokane vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Spokane is $1,400/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Spokane is cheaper by 26%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Spokane?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $88,187/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Spokane. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Spokane or Chicago?
Spokane has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.9%. Spokane has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Spokane to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Spokane offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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