Houston
Texas
Pop. 2,296,253
VS
Spokane
Washington
Pop. 227,922

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

71
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
69
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Houston wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Houston wins 2–1 overall (71/100)
💰 Houston is more affordable
💼 Houston has lower unemployment
🛡️ Spokane has fewer disasters

📋 Houston vs Spokane — The Verdict

Houston scores 71.2/100 compared to Spokane's 69/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Houston has a clear edge with home prices 18% lower. Houston may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Houston are 18% lower — a difference of $51,900 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Spokane saves you $175/month — that's $2,100 per year.
🛡️
Spokane has experienced 4 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Houston vs Spokane: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
75
Median Home Value
$235,000
$286,900
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$1,060
Median Income
$60,440
$63,316
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Houston edges out Spokane on housing costs by 18%, a difference of $51,900. Factor in rent and utilities to get the complete affordability picture.
💼 Houston vs Spokane: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
4.7%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Houston vs Spokane: Weather & Climate
50
vs
40
Summer High
°F
8.0°F
Winter Low
°F
2.4°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
0.2"
Annual Snow
"
4.4"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Houston vs Spokane: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
12
13 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Houston vs Spokane: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Houston vs Spokane: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
21
17
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
Low
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Houston to Spokane: Common Questions

Is Houston or Spokane cheaper to live in?
Houston is more affordable overall. Home prices are $51,900 lower in Houston. Monthly rent is $1,060 in Spokane vs $1,235 in Houston.
Does Houston or Spokane have better weather?
Houston scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Houston or Spokane better for finding a job?
Houston currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 4.7% in Spokane. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $63,316 in Spokane.
Which city is safer — Houston or Spokane?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Spokane is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 17 in Spokane. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Spokane.
Should I move from Houston to Spokane?
Based on our data, Houston scores 71.2/100 vs Spokane's 69.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Houston is more affordable, while Houston has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 5, 2026.