Cost of Living Comparison Between Pasadena, CA and Spokane, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Pasadena, CA and Spokane, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,096 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $2,694 in Spokane, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,739 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $4,037 in Spokane, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,383 per month in Pasadena, CA vs $5,380 in Spokane, WA, rent included.

Pasadena, CA costs about 52% more than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Pasadena, CA and Spokane, WA sit above the global median – Pasadena, CA by 205%, Spokane, WA by 100%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.81 $17.81

$24.05 $24.05

-25.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.1 $80.1

$73.8 $73.8

8.63%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.38 $11.38

$12.98 $12.98

-12.33%

Cappuccino

$5.15 $5.15

$4.70 $4.70

9.57%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.14 $3.14

$2.39 $2.39

31.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 $2.83

$2.29 $2.29

23.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$10.08 $10.08

$6.64 $6.64

51.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.14 $11.14

$5.93 $5.93

87.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 $1.27

$0.98 $0.98

29.59%

White Bread (500g)

$4.89 $4.89

$2.95 $2.95

65.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$4.98 $4.98

-43.37%

Eggs

$5.45 $5.45

$4.57 $4.57

19.26%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.09 $16.09

$16.70 $16.70

-3.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.21 $18.21

$15.46 $15.46

17.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.27 $13.27

$16.06 $16.06

-17.37%

Apples (1kg)

$3.74 $3.74

$4.65 $4.65

-19.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.82 $1.82

-6.04%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.50 $2.50

$4.92 $4.92

-49.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.91 $5.91

$5.57 $5.57

6.10%

Potato (1kg)

$5.40 $5.40

$3.43 $3.43

57.43%

Onion (1kg)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.61 $2.61

-11.11%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.85 $1.85

$1.98 $1.98

-6.57%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.36 $2.36

-27.97%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.56 $9.56

$11.52 $11.52

-17.01%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.83 $10.83

$14.26 $14.26

-24.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.89 $1.89

3.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.64 $1.64

$5.22 $5.22

-68.58%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.56 $1.56

$1.95 $1.95

-20.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.2 $52.2

$59.8 $59.8

-12.66%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.56 $3.56

$5.12 $5.12

-30.47%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 $1.60

$1.77 $1.77

-9.60%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.96 $28.96

$39.38 $39.38

-26.46%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.13 $1.13

10.62%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.0K $30.0K

$33.9K $33.9K

-11.47%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.2K $22.2K

$25.7K $25.7K

-13.74%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$259 $259

$162 $162

59.57%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$51.2 $51.2

$65.4 $65.4

-21.69%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.1 $70.1

$71.3 $71.3

-1.72%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.48 $35.48

$44.73 $44.73

-20.68%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.35 $35.35

$15.02 $15.02

135.35%

Cinema Ticket

$19.12 $19.12

$14.33 $14.33

33.43%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,322 $1,322

$1,428 $1,428

-7.40%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.9K $14.9K

$16.1K $16.1K

-7.57%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$90.7 $90.7

$53.1 $53.1

70.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.92 $39.92

$50.2 $50.2

-20.48%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.6 $92.6

$115 $115

-19.16%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$111 $111

$144 $144

-23.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,413 $3,413

$1,581 $1,581

115.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,695 $2,695

$1,308 $1,308

106.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,433 $5,433

$2,861 $2,861

89.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,312 $4,312

$2,224 $2,224

93.90%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,953 $8,953

$3,389 $3,389

164.22%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,563 $8,563

$2,329 $2,329

267.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,353 $5,353

$4,215 $4,215

27.01%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.27

6.64

-5.57%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Pasadena, CA: June 8, 2026

Last update for Spokane, WA: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,413 in Pasadena, CA versus $1,581 in Spokane, WA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 27% higher in Pasadena, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Pasadena, CA versus $74.0 in Spokane, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $426 in Pasadena, CA vs $435 in Spokane, WA – so Pasadena, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Pasadena, CA vs Spokane, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $4,096 in Pasadena, CA, $2,694 in Spokane, WA – roughly 52% apart. Pasadena, CA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,143 per month in Pasadena, CA and $4,040 in Spokane, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Spokane, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,096 in Pasadena, CA and $2,694 in Spokane, WA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 14% less in Spokane, WA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,096 in Pasadena, CA and $2,694 in Spokane, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Pasadena, CA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,694 in Spokane, WA to $4,096 in Pasadena, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Spokane, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Pasadena, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.