Moving to Spokane in 2026: What You Need to Know

If you’re thinking about moving to Spokane in 2026, this is the context you need before booking flights, scrolling listings, or choosing a neighborhood.

After helping people relocate into and around Spokane for years, one thing is clear: what many people think they know about Spokane is outdated, incomplete, or based on someone else’s experience that doesn’t apply to them.

Spokane can be an excellent move for the right person — or a frustrating one if expectations don’t match reality. This guide is meant to help you understand what Spokane actually is heading into 2026.

Spokane in 2026: A Market in Stabilization

The most accurate way to describe Spokane right now is that it’s in a stabilization phase. Prices are not meaningfully rising or falling — they’re settling after the rapid growth between 2020 and 2022.

When you account for inflation, there’s a strong argument that prices have softened relative to purchasing power, even though sellers are not slashing prices across the board.

Why the Market Feels Different Than It Used To

Buyers are more selective than ever. Payment, condition, and long-term costs matter more than list price alone. Sellers no longer control the conversation the way they did in 2021.

Homes that are well-located, updated, and priced correctly still move. Homes that feel dated or overpriced sit longer and invite negotiation.

Buyer and Seller Behavior Has Changed

The biggest shift in 2025 wasn’t a headline number — it was behavior. Buyers slowed down, became payment-conscious, and paid closer attention to deferred maintenance and future costs.

This has opened the door for stronger negotiations, inspection credits, and repair requests when the situation supports it.

Current Spokane Market Snapshot (Late 2025 / Early 2026)

• Median home price around $413,000
• Average days on market roughly 38 days
• Homes selling near 98.5% of list price
• Inventory just under three months (technically seller-leaning, but close to balanced)

For ongoing insights, follow our weekly Spokane market updates.

Why Spokane Is Getting National Attention for 2026

Realtor.com and the National Association of Realtors have identified Spokane as a top housing market for 2026 — not because of explosive price growth, but because of affordability and accessibility compared to other West Coast markets.

More buyers are expected to enter the market, but many of those buyers are also sellers — meaning inventory is likely to remain available rather than disappearing.

Who Spokane Works Best For Right Now

• Relocators from higher-cost metros looking for payment relief
• Buyers planning to stay put for five years or more
• People who value neighborhood character, space, and balance over speculation

Where People Struggle

The most frustration comes from skipping the orientation phase — jumping straight into listings without understanding how Spokane functions today.

Older homes, neighborhood differences, and seller motivation all matter more here than many people expect.

If you’re planning to buy a home in Spokane or sell a home in Spokane, understanding this context first will save you time, money, and stress.

Talk Through Your Situation Before You Move

We sit down with buyers and sellers for in-depth consultations to make sure expectations, timing, and neighborhood fit align before decisions are made.

Reach out anytime: Contact Halsted HomeTeam.