Spokane: No income tax, four hard seasons. Albany: Capital-region stability, Adirondacks close.
Dimension
Spokane
Albany
Median home price
$425K
$378K
Effective property tax
0.87%
1.46%
Tax friendliness
9/10
3/10
Winter mildness
3/10
3/10
Summer comfort
9/10
9/10
Walkability
6/10
6/10
Outdoor access
8/10
7/10
Culture & food
5/10
6/10
Healthcare
9/10
4/10
Airport connectivity
7/10
7/10
Schools
6/10
7/10
Safety
6/10
6/10
Hazard safety (10 = lowest risk)
10/10
10/10
Growth trajectory
7/10
7/10
Pick Spokane if your priorities lean: Effective property tax, Tax friendliness, Outdoor access, Healthcare. Pick Albany if they lean: Median home price, Culture & food, Schools. There is no universal winner — only a winner for your weights.