The Real Pros and Cons of Living in Spokane in 2025

Spokane is a city that continues to surprise. Tucked into the eastern edge of Washington, it blends natural beauty with urban grit, offering a lifestyle that’s both adventurous and grounded. But like any place, Spokane isn’t without its tradeoffs. For those thinking about relocating or just trying to figure out if Spokane is the right fit, here’s what life here really looks like in 2025.

Nature, Everywhere You Look

Spokane lives up to its motto: "Near nature, near perfect." With trail systems threading through nearly every neighborhood and rivers slicing through the city, outdoor recreation is part of daily life. Paddleboarding after work, hiking Riverside State Park, or mountain biking Beacon Hill are all just minutes from downtown. Mount Spokane is less than an hour away for skiing, and plenty of neighborhoods back up to forested areas for those who want their backyard to feel like a state park.

But that closeness to nature can come with a sense of isolation, depending on where you live. Some neighborhoods may require a 15-minute drive just to grab groceries. While that may seem minor to transplants from Los Angeles or Phoenix, for others it’s a dealbreaker.

A City with Real Seasons

Spokane enjoys four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and dry—until wildfire smoke rolls in, usually in August. Fall is golden and crisp. Winters are long and snowy, especially in higher elevation neighborhoods like Five Mile or parts of the South Hill. Snow plowing can vary depending on your street, so it’s worth considering if your road is maintained or not.

With roughly 171 sunny days per year, Spokane falls behind places like Boise or Denver in sunshine. While it’s not constantly overcast like Seattle, those prone to seasonal depression might need to factor that into the equation.

Cost of Living: No Longer a Hidden Bargain

Gone are the days when Spokane was the obvious budget-friendly alternative to Seattle. The median home price now hovers around $425,000, with areas like the South Hill, Five Mile, and Liberty Lake commanding even higher price tags. There’s no state income tax, but sales tax is nearly 9%, and basic costs—groceries, gas, utilities—have all climbed significantly. Gas currently averages $4 per gallon, and utility bills are expected to rise 9–13% over the next few years.

Homeowner insurance has also become trickier. While insurance companies haven’t fled the state like they have in California, many are becoming pickier with policies, making it harder for some residents to get coverage.

Jobs: Solid, but Not Soaring

Healthcare leads Spokane’s employment landscape. Institutions like Providence, Kaiser, and MultiCare are top employers. Education is strong, thanks to Gonzaga University, WSU, and well-funded public school districts. Utilities like Avista offer stable jobs, too.

However, Spokane is not a major hub for white-collar work. High-paying tech jobs are scarce, and upward mobility is more limited. Still, there's some momentum: small startups and national companies are exploring Spokane, especially around the airport in the West Plains. For remote workers, Spokane can offer an ideal home base—just don’t count on landing a six-figure job locally in cybersecurity or fintech anytime soon.

Infrastructure Growing Pains

Spokane’s infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with its population growth. The Latah Valley is a prime example: thousands of new homes are being built, but there’s still just one grocery store and one main road in and out. That bottleneck causes daily headaches and traffic safety issues.

The North-South Freeway is slowly taking shape, but currently ends in a bridge to nowhere. Though projected to finish by 2030, many believe 2035 is more realistic. Funding seems solid for now, but workforce shortages could cause further delays.

A Surprising Cultural Pulse

Spokane may be rugged, but its arts and culture scene is thriving. First Friday art walks, a full symphony, indie bookstores, and a jazz scene keep things lively. Local pride runs deep here. Neighborhood festivals, strong nonprofits, and an impressive food scene give the city an authentic, grassroots energy.

Homelessness and Housing Policy

Homelessness is an ongoing challenge, particularly in downtown and areas near the freeway. The city has added shelter beds, but demand still exceeds supply. Washington’s new rent control bill caps increases at 7% plus inflation (up to 10%), a move praised by tenants but viewed cautiously by landlords. Some are pulling their properties from the market, tightening inventory even more.

Meanwhile, thousands of apartment units are in the pipeline, which could drive up vacancy rates and reduce commercial property values in the long run. Spokane’s rental registry adds another layer for landlords, requiring inspections and fees for all rental properties. Enforcement remains unclear, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Air Travel: Small but Mighty

Spokane International Airport is efficient and convenient. With over 20 direct flights—including Denver, Phoenix, and LAX—it’s a breeze for travelers used to mega-hubs. Most residents can leave home 30 minutes before boarding and still make their flight.

The downside? It’s still a regional airport. If you’re heading to the East Coast, expect connections and longer travel days. But with recent upgrades and more expansion underway, Spokane’s airport is quickly becoming one of its quiet advantages.

Final Thoughts

Spokane isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of city. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t pretend to be. If you're looking for fast-paced career growth, seamless infrastructure, or cheap housing, this might not be your spot. But for those who value nature, balance, and community, Spokane continues to offer something real—and increasingly rare.

In 2025, it’s less about whether Spokane is a "hidden gem" and more about whether it’s the right fit for the life you actually want to live.