Called by the nickname, “Lilac City,” Spokane, WA, has become a destination for many people relocating to the Pacific Northwest. There are countless things to do in the city, whether you visit Spokane Falls, check out Riverfront Park, the site of the 1974 World’s Fair, or explore the downtown area. No wonder 229,100 people are living in Spokane.
As you begin your homebuying journey, there’s three key points to keep in mind – the housing market is somewhat competitive, the median home sale price is $351,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $191. Or if you’re beginning your renting journey, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment in Spokane is $1,708.
But maybe Spokane isn’t the right area for you. If so, we’ve collected 6 of the best Spokane suburbs to consider moving to. And they’re all less than 30 minutes away from the city center. That way you can live close to Spokane and all its awesome activities without residing in the city.
#1: Country Homes
Median home price: $164,000
Average sale price per square foot: $184
Driving distance from Spokane: 20 minutes
Country Homes, WA homes for sale
Country Homes, WA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $164,000, Country Homes is the first on our list of Spokane suburbs. Just about a 20-minute drive away from Spokane, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. Living in Country Homes, you can check out Holmberg Park to enjoy the fresh Pacific Northwest air.
#2: Airway Heights
Median home price: $377,000
Average sale price per square foot: $234
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,295
Driving distance from Spokane: 15 minutes
Airway Heights, WA homes for sale
Airway Heights, WA apartments for rent
Taking the second place on our list Airway Heights. About a 15-minute drive away from downtown Spokane, you can visit Spokane Falls to see the waterfall in just a quick drive. Living in Airway Heights, you can also spend the day checking out the charming downtown.
#3: Cheney
Median home price: $379,900
Average sale price per square foot: $213
Driving distance from Spokane: 20 minutes
Cheney, WA homes for sale
Cheney, WA apartments for rent
Drive just 20 minutes outside of Spokane and you’ll reach Cheney, another great suburb. There’s plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Cheney. Make sure to explore the Eastern Washington State University campus if you move to the third suburb on our list.
#4: Spokane Valley
Median home price: $415,000
Average sale price per square foot: $208
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,442
Driving distance from Spokane: 15 minutes
Spokane Valley, WA homes for sale
Spokane Valley, WA apartments for rent
A bit more expensive than Cheney is Spokane Valley, the next suburb on our list. With a population close to 102,900, there’s still plenty to do in this Spokane suburb. Plan to spend the day exploring the picturesque Mirabeau Point Park, stop by Donkey Island Swimming Hole during the summer, or check out the region’s wineries.
#5: Otis Orchards-East Farms
Median home price: $425,000
Average sale price per square foot: $164
Driving distance from Spokane: 25 minutes
Otis Orchards-East Farms, WA homes for sale
Otis Orchards-East Farms, WA apartments for rent
Drive 25 minutes outside of Spokane and you’ll find the suburb of Otis Orchards-East Farms, another great area to add to your list. With 6,300 residents, moving to this suburb can keep you close enough to Spokane, without living there.
#6: Mead
Median home price: $489,995
Average sale price per square foot: $213
Driving distance from Spokane: 25 minutes
Mead, WA homes for sale
Mead, WA apartments for rent
Another noteworthy Spokane suburb is Mead, where the median home sale price is $489,995. Mead has about 7,600 residents and is a great suburb to consider living in. Make sure to visit one of the neighborhood parks or find a hidden gem to explore in Mead.
Methodology: Whether a suburb was under a 30-minute drive from downtown Spokane. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.