Moving from Tacoma, WA to Spokane, WA
Moving from Tacoma, WA to Spokane, WA covers 293 mi and about 5h 32m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
293 mi Β· 5h 32m by car Β· WA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 395, WA 18 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Bellevue, Renton, Seattle, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Spokane | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Spokane are 9.7% below Tacoma β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 9.7% lower in Spokane than Tacoma as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Spokane 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 17.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.7Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 229,228 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $65,745 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.37 |
Median household income in Spokane is 9.7% below Tacoma ($83,857 vs $65,745, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Spokane?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,745 in Spokane vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 21.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Spokane more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane is 9.7% lower than Tacoma (100.346 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Spokane, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 293 mi and the route typically takes 5h 32m via I 90 and US 395. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Spokane compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Spokane compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $395,325 in Spokane vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 19.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Spokane?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 293 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Spokane, WA.