Key factors that impact the cost of your Harrisburg to Spokane move
What to know before moving from Harrisburg to Spokane
Moving from Harrisburg to Spokane comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Spokane is generally more expensive than Harrisburg, 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:
Harrisburg | Spokane | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,200 | $1,450 |
Average home value | $230,038 | $375,614 |
Average income (per capita) | $73,256 | $60,801 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,849 | $2,556 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,612 | $6,270 |
Unemployment rate | 13.4% | 6.6% |
Sales tax | 6.0% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 3.07% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Spokane are 21% higher than in Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg.
Home prices in Spokane are 63.3% higher than in Harrisburg. - Income in Spokane is 17.0% lower than in Harrisburg, 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 38.2% higher than in Harrisburg. 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 73.6% higher than in Harrisburg.
- The unemployment rate in Spokane is 50.75% lower than in Harrisburg.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the cityโs sales taxes in Spokane are 50.00% higher than in Harrisburg.
- One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Harrisburg.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,147.11 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Harrisburg.
How life is different in Harrisburg vs. Spokane
Spokane | Harrisburg | |
---|---|---|
Population | 593,466 | 50,099 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 6 |
Walkability score | 49 | 68 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 57 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 64.18 |
Safety Index | 44.94 | 35.82 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- The population of Spokane is about 1,085% greater than Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg. 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 Harrisburg. Based on its score of 49 out of 100, Spokane isnโt as walkable as Harrisburg, which has a score of 68 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 wonโt see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Spokane, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Harrisburg. While Harrisburg has a bike-friendliness score of 57 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 Harrisburg based on scores of 3.0 and Harrisburg's 64.18, 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 Harrisburg, based on Spokaneโs safety index of 44.94 versus 35.82 for Harrisburg. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Spokane has better air quality than in Harrisburg. Spokane has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Harrisburg. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your Harrisburg 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
- Airway Heights
- Cheney
- Medical Lake
- Country Homes
- Fairwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Liberty Lake
- Country Homes
- Town and Country
- Medical Lake
- Millwood
Things to do in Spokane
Once youโre settled into your new home in Washington, itโs time to get out and discover what Spokane has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Spokane features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including 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 spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during 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 Harrisburg to Spokane?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Harrisburg to Spokane are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Harrisburg are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Harrisburg to Spokane?
With many people choosing to move from Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg to Spokane take?
Moving from Harrisburg, PA to Spokane, WA covers 2,441 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days. Need to move faster? Some Harrisburg movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Spokane.