($1,938) Movers From Portland, ME to Spokane, WA

What to know before moving from Portland to Spokane

Moving from Portland to Spokane comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Spokane is generally more expensive than Portland, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Spokane are 27% lower than in Portland, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Spokane.
  Home prices in Spokane are 30.7% lower than in Portland.
• Income in Spokane is 5.3% lower than in Portland, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Spokane include Key Tronic, URM Stores, and Empire Health Centers Group.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Spokane, since the cost of living for a single person in Spokane is 2.6% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Spokane, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Spokane is 3.5% higher than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in Spokane is 26.92% higher than in Portland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the city’s sales taxes in Spokane are 63.64% higher than in Portland.
• One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,078.28 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. Spokane

• The population of Spokane is about 768% greater than Portland, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Spokane will be about the same as it currently is in Portland. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Spokane neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Portland. Based on its score of 49 out of 100, Spokane isn’t as walkable as Portland, which has a score of 62 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Spokane, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, Spokane earned a 52. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Spokane has a lower crime rate than Portland based on scores of 3.0 and Portland's 32.16, 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 you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Spokane. With a crime index of 44.94, Spokane ranks lower in overall safety than Portland, whose index is Portland's 67.84. 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 Portland 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 Portland 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Washington moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Washington doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Spokane. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Spokane

Ready to relocate to "Hooptown USA"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Spokane.

Helpful moving resources