($1,438) Movers From Chicago, IL to Spokane, WA

What to know before moving from Chicago to Spokane

Moving from Chicago to Spokane means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chicago than in Spokane, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Chicago compares to Spokane so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Spokane are 29% lower than in Chicago, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
  Home prices in Spokane are 27.0% higher than in Chicago.
• Income in Spokane is 15.0% lower than in Chicago, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Spokane include Key Tronic, URM Stores, and Empire Health Centers Group.
• The cost of living for a single person in Spokane is 29.9% lower than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Spokane is 32.3% lower than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Spokane is 26.67% lower than in Chicago.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the city’s sales taxes in Spokane are 12.20% lower than in Chicago.
• One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,101.97 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. Spokane

• Spokane might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 78% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Spokane without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Spokane has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Spokane neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Chicago. Based on its score of 49 out of 100, Spokane isn’t as walkable as Chicago, which has a score of 77 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Spokane, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, Spokane earned a 52. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Spokane has a lower crime rate than Chicago based on scores of 3.0 and Chicago's 35.19, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Spokane than in Chicago, based on Spokane’s safety index of 44.94 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Spokane and Chicago is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Spokane move

• Weather: it is advisable to plan your trips to Spokane, WA between the months of August, July and September as these months have more favorable weather.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Washington does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Spokane. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Spokane

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Hooptown USA", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Spokane.

Helpful moving resources