CostIndexUSA

Salinas, CA vs Spokane, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Salinas
109
overall index
$2,875/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Spokane
100.3
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Spokane is moderately cheaper than Salinas — 8.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Salinas, you would need $73,600 in Spokane. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing33.4%
Salinas
145.7
Spokane
97.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Salinas
105.2
Spokane
105
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Salinas
105.3
Spokane
104.4
🏥 Healthcare0.8%
Salinas
95.3
Spokane
94.5
Utilities40.9%
Salinas
154.2
Spokane
91.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Salinas to see what you'd need to earn in Spokane to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$73,600
$6,400 less needed in Spokane

Formula: salary × (100.3 ÷ 109) = salary × 0.9202. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salinas, CA

Median Home Price
$826,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
145.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.9×

Spokane, WA

Median Home Price
$406,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9×

Salinas has 33.4% lower housing costs compared to Spokane.

Income & Job Market

Salinas, CA

Median Household Income
$88,000
Per Capita Income
$50,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
163,542
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentEducation

Spokane, WA

Median Household Income
$72,800
Per Capita Income
$41,500
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
228,989
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationGovernmentManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Salinas, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Spokane, WA
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.