Key factors that impact the cost of your Winston-Salem to Spokane move
What to know before moving from Winston-Salem to Spokane
Moving from Winston-Salem to Spokane comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Spokane is generally more expensive than Winston-Salem, itโs 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:
Winston-Salem | Spokane | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,300 | $1,450 |
Average home value | $248,806 | $375,614 |
Average income (per capita) | $62,431 | $60,801 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,420 | $2,556 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,265 | $6,270 |
Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 6.6% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 4.5% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Spokane are 12% higher than in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem.
Home prices in Spokane are 51.0% higher than in Winston-Salem. - Income in Spokane is 2.6% lower than in Winston-Salem, 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 5.6% higher than in Winston-Salem. 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 19.1% higher than in Winston-Salem.
- The unemployment rate in Spokane is 26.92% higher than in Winston-Salem.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the cityโs sales taxes in Spokane are 28.57% higher than in Winston-Salem.
- One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Winston-Salem.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,168.60 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Winston-Salem.
How life is different in Winston-Salem vs. Spokane
Spokane | Winston-Salem | |
---|---|---|
Population | 593,466 | 249,545 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 3 |
Walkability score | 49 | 22 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 29 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 32.67 |
Safety Index | 44.94 | 67.33 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Spokane is about 138% greater than Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, based on public transportation ratings. Spokane has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem. Spokane is considered more walkable than Winston-Salem, with a score of 49 out of 100 versus 22 out of 100 in Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem is rated as 29 out of 100.
- Spokane has a lower crime rate than Winston-Salem based on scores of 3.0 and Winston-Salem's 32.67, 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 Winston-Salem, whose index is Winston-Salem's 67.33. 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโsome areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving company\โs license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You wonโt need a moving permit in Washington, though it\โs smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toSpokane Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Spokane
Now that youโve chosen "Hooptown USA" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Spokane to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Spokane Valley
- Millwood
- Liberty Lake
- Medical Lake
- Fairwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Mead
- Country Homes
- Medical Lake
- Millwood
- Cheney
Things to do in Spokane
After getting comfortable in your new Washington home, itโs time to see what Spokane is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife โ thereโs plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Spokane include museums and art 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 and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering 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 Winston-Salem to Spokane?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Winston-Salem to Spokane are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Winston-Salem are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Winston-Salem to Spokane?
With many people choosing to move from Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem to Spokane take?
Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Spokane, WA covers 2,470 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days. Need to move faster? Some Winston-Salem movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Spokane.