Cost of Living in Coeur d’Alene vs. Spokane: Which Is More Affordable?

If you’ve spent any time around North Idaho and Spokane lately, you’ve probably heard some version of this question:

“Is it actually cheaper to live in Spokane than Coeur d’Alene?”

The short answer is… usually, yes.

Coeur d’Alene has become one of the most desirable places to live in the Inland Northwest, and that popularity comes with a higher price tag, especially when it comes to housing. Spokane, just across the state line, generally offers lower home prices and higher wages. But then Washington throws a curveball into the equation with higher sales taxes and no state income tax, while Idaho has a state income tax but lower sales taxes.

So if you’re trying to decide between the two, it’s worth looking at the whole picture instead of just comparing home prices.

Here’s how Coeur d’Alene and Spokane stack up in 2026.

Home Prices: This Is Where You Really Notice the Difference

Let’s start with the big one: housing.

According to the latest TMO market reports for the six months ending August 23, 2026, the average sale price for single-family homes in Greater Coeur d’Alene was $756,116, compared with $496,714 in Greater Spokane. That’s a pretty substantial gap, roughly $259,000 between the two markets.

Now, a quick disclaimer from your friendly local Realtor: average sale price isn't the same thing as the price of the typical house. The mix of homes sold can vary considerably between markets. Coeur d’Alene also has a larger share of higher-end and waterfront properties, which can pull its average upward.

Still, there’s no getting around the fact that buying a home generally requires more money in Coeur d’Alene.

Property Taxes: Idaho Has the Edge

Property taxes in both areas are relatively reasonable compared with many parts of the country, but Idaho tends to come out ahead.

The Tax Foundation's 2026 data puts the effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing at about 0.47% in Kootenai County and 0.78% in Spokane County. These are effective rates based on actual property taxes paid compared with home values, rather than simply comparing local levy rates.

For example, using those effective rates as a rough illustration:

• A $500,000 home in Kootenai County would be around $2,350/year
• A $500,000 home in Spokane County would be around $3,900/year
  
  

Of course, your actual property tax bill depends on the property, assessed value, taxing district, exemptions and local levies. But the general takeaway is pretty straightforward: Idaho's lower effective property tax burden helps offset some of the higher home prices.

Sales Tax: Spokane Is Definitely Higher

This one is easy to see every time you pull out your wallet.

Idaho's statewide sales tax rate is 6%, while Washington's statewide rate is 6.5%. Once local taxes are added, the difference becomes more noticeable. The Tax Foundation puts the average combined state and local sales tax rate at 6.03% in Idaho versus 9.51% in Washington.

So if you're buying furniture, appliances, eating out, shopping or making other taxable purchases, Washington's higher sales tax can take a noticeable bite.

It's not necessarily the kind of thing that makes you choose where to live all by itself, but over the course of a year, those little differences can add up.

Income Tax: This Is Washington's Big Advantage

This is probably the biggest tax advantage Spokane has over Coeur d’Alene.

Washington does not have an individual income tax on wages or salaries. Idaho does. Idaho currently has a flat 5.3% individual income tax rate.

That doesn't mean someone earning $100,000 in Idaho simply pays $5,300 more than someone earning $100,000 in Washington, taxable income, deductions and credits all matter. But it does mean Washington residents keep more of their paycheck from a state-income-tax standpoint.

Spokane is generally less expensive when it comes to buying a home, and Washington doesn't have a personal income tax. That's a pretty compelling combination for someone who is primarily focused on monthly cash flow.

Wages: Spokane Comes Out Ahead Here, Too 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the Spokane-Spokane Valley metropolitan area had an average wage of $32.96 per hour in May 2025.

In the Coeur d’Alene metropolitan area, the average was $28.88 per hour.

That's about a $4.08-per-hour difference, or roughly $8,500 a year for someone working full-time at those average hourly wages.

Of course, averages don't tell the whole story. Your occupation matters a lot. A nurse, contractor, teacher, business owner and software developer aren't going to have remotely similar earning potential.

But broadly speaking, Spokane's larger job market does provide higher average wages. A $500,000 house feels very different when you're earning $70,000 than it does when you're earning $100,000.

So… Is Coeur d’Alene or Spokane Cheaper?

Here's the simplest way I would think about it:

Home Prices: Spokane - Homes are generally more affordable, with a significantly lower average sale price.

Average Wages: Spokane - Average wages are higher, which can help offset some of the higher housing costs.

State Income Tax: Spokane - Washington does not have a personal state income tax, while Idaho does.

Property Taxes: Coeur d’Alene - Kootenai County has a lower effective property tax rate than Spokane County.

Sales Tax: Coeur d’Alene - Idaho's sales tax is lower than the combined sales tax rates you'll typically see in Spokane.

But There's One More Thing: You Have to Like Where You Live! This is the part that doesn't show up neatly in a spreadsheet.

Coeur d’Alene is more expensive. That's real. But a lot of people are willing to pay that premium because they want to live here. They want the lake, the trails, and to be able to get away to the mountains after work. They want a smaller community feel while still having restaurants, shopping, healthcare and plenty to do.

On the other hand, Spokane has a lot going for it, too. It's a larger city with a broader job market, more housing options and generally more attainable home prices. For someone who prioritizes affordability or needs to maximize their income-to-housing ratio, Spokane can make a lot of sense.

And there's another advantage to living in this particular part of the country: You don't have to choose one or the other! 

For many people, the Inland Northwest really functions as one connected region. Living in one state and working or recreating in the other is incredibly common.

If you're thinking about moving to Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Post Falls, Hayden or somewhere in between, we'd be happy to help you compare neighborhoods, home prices and what your budget can realistically buy in each area.