Key factors that impact the cost of your Philadelphia to Spokane move
What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Spokane
Moving from Philadelphia to Spokane comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Spokane is generally more expensive than Philadelphia, 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:
Philadelphia | Spokane | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,695 | $1,450 |
Average home value | $216,914 | $375,614 |
Average income (per capita) | $70,746 | $60,801 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,541 | $2,556 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,190 | $6,270 |
Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 6.6% |
Sales tax | 8.0% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 3.07% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Spokane are 15% lower than in Philadelphia, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
Home prices in Spokane are 73.2% higher than in Philadelphia. - Income in Spokane is 14.1% lower than in Philadelphia, 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.
- The cost of living for a single person is the same in Spokane and Philadelphia. 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 1.3% higher than in Philadelphia.
- The unemployment rate in Spokane is 37.74% lower than in Philadelphia.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the cityโs sales taxes in Spokane are 12.50% higher than in Philadelphia.
- One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Philadelphia.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,017.71 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Spokane
Spokane | Philadelphia | |
---|---|---|
Population | 593,466 | 1,603,797 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 9 |
Walkability score | 49 | 75 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 67 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 66.09 |
Safety Index | 44.94 | 33.91 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Spokane might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 63% less than Philadelphia.
- Getting around Spokane without a car might be more difficult than in Philadelphia. Spokane has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Philadelphia is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a cityโs transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Spokane neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Philadelphia. Based on its score of 49 out of 100, Spokane isnโt as walkable as Philadelphia, which has a score of 75 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 Philadelphia. While Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 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 Philadelphia based on scores of 3.0 and Philadelphia's 66.09, 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 Philadelphia, based on Spokaneโs safety index of 44.94 versus 33.91 for Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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
- Millwood
- Cheney
- Medical Lake
- Fairwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Liberty Lake
- Country Homes
- Spokane
- Millwood
- Cheney
Things to do in Spokane
Now that you've made the move to Washington, itโs the perfect time to explore Spokane. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโs something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Youโll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Spokane, such as 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 along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back 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 Philadelphia to Spokane?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Philadelphia to Spokane are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Philadelphia are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Philadelphia to Spokane?
With many people choosing to move from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to Spokane take?
Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Spokane, WA covers 2,543 miles and usually takes seven to 21 days. Need to move faster? Some Philadelphia movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Spokane.