Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Spokane Valley, WA
🏆 Carrollton leads 15 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Spokane Valley
Washington
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$66,483
Violent Crime Index
64
Population
103,761
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
43% less violent crime than Spokane Valley
Households earn $28,897 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Spokane Valley
Spokane Valley, WA
Pros
Rent averages $380/mo less ($1,175 vs $1,555)
Violent crime is well below the national average (242.1 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 94°F
Homes cost $20k less ($307,700 vs $327,300)
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $28,897/yr
Property crime (3515.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 3.7%)
Snowy winters — about 45" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$28,897
$95,380 vs $66,483/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
43% lower
137.1 vs 242.1 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.8% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 87.1°F
Spokane Valley
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 101.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Spokane Valley
Median Home Value
$20k less
$307,700 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Spokane Valley, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $307,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $1,175 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $66,483 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 10.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 105⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 64 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 167⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 25.3% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 94.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | East Valley School District (Spokane) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 37.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 87.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 17.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 45.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 103,761 |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 37.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 57.7% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 21.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Spokane Valley's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Spokane Valley is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 15 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 15 and Spokane Valley wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Spokane Valley or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $307,700 median home), income ($95,380 vs $66,483), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Spokane Valley, WA are about 1,466 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.