Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Spokane to Houston
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Spokane has a higher median household income ($70,064 vs $64,813) and lower median gross rent ($1,215 vs $1,361) than Houston, resulting in a more favorable rent-to-income ratio. However, Houston residents face a longer average commute (30 minutes vs 22 minutes). Both cities use the same uniform non-housing baseline ($1,250/month) in the calculator model. Spokane’s owner-occupied home value is higher ($363,500 vs $277,800), reflecting different equity trade-offs. Texas applies a 0.00% simplified state individual income-tax reference in the model, while Washington’s state tax is excluded per current profile constraints. These factors create a nuanced trade-off where Spokane offers better income and rent affordability with shorter commutes, but Houston provides lower home prices and no modeled state income tax, with neither city dominating across all dimensions.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → SpokaneMoving from Spokane to Houston
Median Rent Impact
+$146/mo
Moving to Houston costs ~$1,752 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+8 min / day
Difference of ~67 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTSPO → HOU
56/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$10,632after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Spokane is about $1,752 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Spokane household income$70,064
Houston household income$64,813
Spokane gross rent$1,215
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Spokane | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 230,293 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $70,064 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,215 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $363,500 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 22 minutes in Spokane and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income comparison
- Median gross rent affordability
- Average one-way commute time
- State income-tax treatment in model
What each city wins
Spokane
Rent-to-income ratio is favorable at 20.8%.. Watch affordable rent may be offset by non-housing costs per model assumptions..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do rent and income compare between Spokane and Houston?
Spokane’s median household income is $70,064, 8.4% higher than Houston’s $64,813, while its median gross rent is $1,215, 10.7% lower than Houston’s $1,361, giving Spokane a better rent-to-income ratio based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
What is the difference in commute times and home values between the two cities?
Spokane’s average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 8 minutes shorter than Houston’s 30 minutes. Spokane’s median owner-occupied home value is $363,500, $85,700 higher than Houston’s $277,800, indicating differing housing equity and location trade-offs per 2024 ACS data.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.