($1,419) Movers From Rochester, NY to Spokane, WA

What to know before moving from Rochester to Spokane

Moving from Rochester to Spokane comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Spokane is generally more expensive than Rochester, 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 16% higher than in Rochester, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Rochester.
  Home prices in Spokane are 87.3% higher than in Rochester.
• Income in Spokane is 5.3% lower than in Rochester, 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 12.4% higher than in Rochester. 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 27.4% higher than in Rochester.
• The unemployment rate in Spokane is 32.65% lower than in Rochester.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the city’s sales taxes in Spokane are 12.50% higher than in Rochester.
• One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Rochester.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,372.03 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Rochester.

How life is different in Rochester vs. Spokane

• The population of Spokane is about 181% greater than Rochester, 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 Rochester. 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 Rochester. Based on its score of 49 out of 100, Spokane isn’t as walkable as Rochester, which has a score of 61 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 Rochester. While Rochester has a bike-friendliness score of 60 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 Rochester based on scores of 3.0 and Rochester's 37.54, 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 Rochester, based on Spokane’s safety index of 44.94 versus 36.66 for Rochester. 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 Rochester 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 Rochester 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 regulations—some 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\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Washington, though it\’s 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 you’ve chosen "Hooptown USA" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Spokane to check out.

Helpful moving resources