Key factors that impact the cost of your Fort Wayne to Spokane move
What to know before moving from Fort Wayne to Spokane
Moving from Fort Wayne to Spokane means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Fort Wayne than in Spokane, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Fort Wayne compares to Spokane so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Fort Wayne | Spokane | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,163 | $1,450 |
Average home value | $227,803 | $375,614 |
Average income (per capita) | $53,978 | $60,801 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,600 | $2,556 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,150 | $6,270 |
Unemployment rate | 5.1% | 6.6% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 3.15% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Spokane are 25% higher than in Fort Wayne, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Fort Wayne.
Home prices in Spokane are 64.9% higher than in Fort Wayne. - Income in Spokane is 12.6% higher than in Fort Wayne, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Spokane include Key Tronic, URM Stores, and Empire Health Centers Group.
- The cost of living for a single person in Spokane is 1.7% lower than in Fort Wayne. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Spokane, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Spokane is 99.0% higher than in Fort Wayne.
- The unemployment rate in Spokane is 29.41% higher than in Fort Wayne.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the cityโs sales taxes in Spokane are 28.57% higher than in Fort Wayne.
- One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Fort Wayne.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,949.23 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fort Wayne.
How life is different in Fort Wayne vs. Spokane
Spokane | Fort Wayne | |
---|---|---|
Population | 593,466 | 265,974 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 3 |
Walkability score | 49 | 32 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 41 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 40.9 |
Safety Index | 44.94 | 59.1 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Spokane is about 123% greater than Fort Wayne, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Spokane offers better access to buses and trains than Fort Wayne, based on public transportation ratings. Spokane has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Fort Wayne. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Spokane means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Fort Wayne. Spokane is considered more walkable than Fort Wayne, with a score of 49 out of 100 versus 32 out of 100 in Fort Wayne. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Spokane is considered more bike-friendly than Fort Wayne in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Spokane has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, while Fort Wayne is rated as 41 out of 100.
- Spokane has a lower crime rate than Fort Wayne based on scores of 3.0 and Fort Wayne's 40.9, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Spokane. With a crime index of 44.94, Spokane ranks lower in overall safety than Fort Wayne, whose index is Fort Wayne's 59.1. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Spokane and Fort Wayne is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Fort Wayne vs. Spokane move
- Weather: it is advisable to plan your trips to Spokane, WA between the months of August, July and September as these months have more favorable weather.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Washington does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Spokane. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Spokane
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Hooptown USA", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Spokane.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Liberty Lake
- Cheney
- Medical Lake
- Country Homes
- Fairwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Mead
- Town and Country
- Spokane
- Millwood
- Cheney
Things to do in Spokane
After settling into your new Washington home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Spokane has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Spokane is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Campbell House, Mobius Discovery Center, Jundt Art Gallery, Avenue West Gallery, and Honor Point Military and Aerospace Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Manito Park, Spokane Falls, Riverfront Park, and Centennial Trail โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Spokane Chiefs (Ice hockey), Spokane Indians (Baseball), USL1 Spokane (Soccer) USL League One (men) USL W League (women), or Spokane Shadow (Soccer) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Fort Wayne to Spokane?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Fort Wayne to Spokane are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Fort Wayne are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Fort Wayne to Spokane?
With many people choosing to move from Fort Wayne to Spokane in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Fort Wayne to Spokane take?
Moving from Fort Wayne, IN to Spokane, WA covers 1,945 miles and usually takes five to 16 days. Need to move faster? Some Fort Wayne movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Spokane.