The Good Side Spokane’s Cost of Living Is Relatively Inexpensive The cost worries us when we think about living in a new city. However, if you move to Spokane, you have nothing to fear. Compared to other western cities, the city is relatively inexpensive. Here, the cost of living is lower than in many other nearby towns. It is 15% below the national average. It has lower costs for various goods and services, including medical care, gasoline, and food. It is mostly desert here, but nearby agriculture keeps grocery and food expenses low. Public transportation is also cheaper than in other Washington cities. Living here, you won’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for expensive specialist insurance because this region is not at risk of natural disasters. The City Has Affordable Housing and Rental Options It’s not only the cost of living that’s inexpensive in this city; real estate is, too. Spokane has some of the most affordable rents and home listings in Washington, especially for a metropolitan area. The city’s rentals can be relatively reasonable. Spokane and a few other large cities have seen rents rise moderately, but it remains less expensive than most of the nation’s central metropolitan areas. Spokane’s $1,290 typical two-bedroom rent is below the national average of $1,339. This rent is more affordable rental rates than in other major cities. For instance, the median 2BR rent in San Francisco is $2,636, which is more than double the amount in Spokane. Spokane’s real estate market is a plus if you buy a home instead. The median home price is $400,000, a year-over-year rise of 30.7%. Despite the significant increase, prices are still lower than in Tacoma, Vancouver, and Federal Way, where the typical home price is $468,000, $425,000, and $383,850, respectively. It Is State Income Tax-free One of the advantages of relocating to Spokane is that you will not be subject to inheritance or state income tax. Because of this, it has become a popular site for people to relocate to once they retire. It benefits not just retired persons but also working professionals. As a result of not having a state income tax, the city can generate additional job opportunities, which helps prevent young and educated workers from moving to other places. Living in Spokane, you will find that the city’s inexpensive cost of living and absence of state income tax is a significant advantage. The Bad Side Spokane’s Sales Tax Rate Is High It just so happens that Spokane has one of the highest sales taxes not only in the state of Washington but also in the entire country of the United States. Although there is no personal income tax here, you are subject to pay a high sales tax on practically everything you buy within the city. This city’s combined sales tax rate is 8.9%, higher than the national average of 7.3%. This rate combines the state’s 6.5% sales tax and the town’s 2.4% sales tax. If you don’t like the concept of paying a higher rate than other people in the country do, this is one of the top things you will dislike about living here.