Key factors that impact the cost of your Albuquerque to Spokane move
What to know before moving from Albuquerque to Spokane
Moving from Albuquerque to Spokane comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Spokane is generally more expensive than Albuquerque, 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:
Albuquerque | Spokane | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,250 | $1,450 |
Average home value | $329,595 | $375,614 |
Average income (per capita) | $61,503 | $60,801 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,111 | $2,556 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,353 | $6,270 |
Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 6.6% |
Sales tax | 7.63% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 5.9% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Spokane are 16% higher than in Albuquerque, 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 Albuquerque.
Home prices in Spokane are 14.0% higher than in Albuquerque. - Income in Spokane is 1.1% lower than in Albuquerque, 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 21.1% higher than in Albuquerque. 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 17.1% higher than in Albuquerque.
- The unemployment rate in Spokane is 10.81% lower than in Albuquerque.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the cityโs sales taxes in Spokane are 17.96% higher than in Albuquerque.
- One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Albuquerque.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,632.40 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Albuquerque.
How life is different in Albuquerque vs. Spokane
Spokane | Albuquerque | |
---|---|---|
Population | 593,466 | 564,559 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
Walkability score | 49 | 43 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 61 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 71.72 |
Safety Index | 44.94 | 28.28 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Spokane is about 5% greater than Albuquerque, 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 Albuquerque, based on public transportation ratings. Spokane has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Albuquerque. 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 Albuquerque. Spokane is considered more walkable than Albuquerque, with a score of 49 out of 100 versus 43 out of 100 in Albuquerque. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- You probably wonโt see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Spokane, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Albuquerque. While Albuquerque has a bike-friendliness score of 61 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 Albuquerque based on scores of 3.0 and Albuquerque's 71.72, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Spokane than in Albuquerque, based on Spokaneโs safety index of 44.94 versus 28.28 for Albuquerque. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Spokane and Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque 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
- Coeur d'Alene
- Airway Heights
- Millwood
- Liberty Lake
- Medical Lake
Best neighborhoods for families
- Country Homes
- Town and Country
- Spokane
- Cheney
- Spokane Valley
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 Albuquerque to Spokane?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Albuquerque to Spokane are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Albuquerque are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Albuquerque to Spokane?
With many people choosing to move from Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque to Spokane take?
Moving from Albuquerque, NM to Spokane, WA covers 1,317 miles and usually takes three to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Albuquerque movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Spokane.