Is Spokane growing, and are people moving there?

Yes, Spokane is growing, and yes, people are still moving there — mostly from higher-cost metros on the West Coast and, increasingly, from Texas and the Mountain West. The growth is steady rather than explosive, and the current market data shows an active but balanced picture: as of August 2026, Spokane’s median asking price sits at $435,995 with 1,907 active listings and 23% of homes under contract.

Where the growth comes from

Spokane’s inbound migration is driven by a handful of consistent factors. Housing costs a fraction of what it does in Seattle, the Bay Area, or Southern California. Washington has no personal income tax, which matters to relocators comparing states side by side. Commutes across the metro rarely exceed 25 minutes. And the recreation footprint — Riverside State Park, five ski areas within two hours, and a dozen lakes within an hour’s drive — is the kind of thing people used to fly somewhere to reach.

We see the pattern in our own client mix: Seattle-area buyers cashing out equity, California buyers doing a full financial reset (the San Francisco relocation guide walks through that math), and Texas buyers trading heat and property tax for four seasons. Remote and hybrid work made all of it stickier — people who once needed a Seattle paycheck to stay put no longer do.

What the market data says right now

Growth doesn’t mean a runaway market. As of August 2026, Spokane’s median asking price of $435,995 was down 3.0% month over month, with $214 per square foot and inventory up 1.5% to 1,907 active listings. Spokane Valley ran a bit higher at $464,950 median asking with 25% of listings under contract. Cheney and Airway Heights, both on the West Plains, show similar patterns — steady demand, modest month-to-month price movement, and inventory that gives buyers actual choices.

Translation: the market is absorbing new residents without the frenzy of 2020-2022. Homes still move — roughly a quarter of active listings under contract is a healthy pace — but buyers can inspect, negotiate, and sleep on decisions again. Our market reports track these numbers monthly if you want to watch the trend rather than take a snapshot.

Is Coeur d’Alene growing too?

Yes — Kootenai County, Idaho has been one of the faster-growing counties in the region on a percentage basis, with Post Falls and Rathdrum absorbing much of the new construction. Coeur d’Alene sits about 30 minutes east of Spokane on I-90, so the two markets function as one commute shed with two different tax structures. Some buyers specifically want the Idaho side for its homeowner’s exemption and different tax mix; a CPA can run your personal numbers, and the Idaho State Tax Commission and Washington Department of Revenue publish the current rules.

What this means if you’re buying

Buying into a growing metro is generally the position you want, but growth is a condition, not a guarantee — nobody can promise appreciation. What you can do is buy well: pick a corridor with sustained demand, compare both sides of the state line before committing, and use current inventory levels to negotiate rather than chase. Because we’re licensed in both Washington and Idaho and write contracts on both sides every month, we can show you the full picture rather than half of it. Start with the relocation overview if you’re earlier in the process.

If you want a straight read on whether a specific neighborhood fits your move, reach out and we’ll talk it through.