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Spokane's Cost of Living
An overview of the general cost of living index for Spokane County, Wash., is displayed below for your reference. Information is current as of March 1, 2026.
Residents in Spokane County, Wash., enjoy a cost-of-living index of 96-99. This index is 1-4% lower than the U.S. national average. The average cost of goods and services is 3% lower than the national average. Spokane’s current retail sales tax rate is 9.2%.
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visas prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. In addition, members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential that members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
Additional Special and Critical Installation Information
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
Fairchild DSN: 657-xxxx
As America's Super Tanker Wing, we are always ready to protect the homeland, deter aggression, fight and win whenever our nation calls.
Fairchild Air Force base has been a part of the Inland Empire since 1942.
With the approach of World War II, the Spokane Chamber of Commerce initiated a program to bring military interests to the city. In September of 1941, Spokane citizens raised approximately $125,000 in less than a week to buy 1,400 acres of land for the base. The land was then given to the War Department and the base was established in 1942 and received its first name, the Spokane Army Depot. After the War, the base was renamed to Spokane Air Force Base. In 1947, the 92d Bomb Group was reactivated at Spokane AFB, and in November of that year, was redesignated as the 92d Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy. In 1951, the base received its current name in memory of Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, General Muir S. Fairchild, a native of Bellingham, Washington who had passed away on active duty in 1950. In 1994, Fairchild AFB was transferred to Air Mobility Command, and the assigned wing was redesignated as the 92d Air Refueling Wing, supporting KC-135 tanker aircraft. For more on the history of Fairchild AFB, visit the installation's homepage (www.fairchild.af.mil/).
Population Type
Fairchild AFB is located in the eastern part of Washington State, in Spokane County. The base is 12 miles west of Spokane and 279 miles east of Seattle. The communities nearest the base are Airway Heights, Medical Lake, and Cheney. People assigned here enjoy a good relationship with the Spokane and surrounding communities, as well as with our Canadian neighbors to the north. Spokane's cost of living is 1% higher than the U.S. average. Off-base sales tax is 9%. There are several ski resorts nearby, and numerous cultural and outdoor activities throughout the year. The base operator's phone number is 509-247-1212, DSN 312-657-1212.
Websites:
www.fairchild.af.mil/
https://my.spokanecity.org/
Overview - Directions - Directions:
Driving West on I-90:
If you are traveling west on I-90, continue through Spokane and take exit 277. This exit will take you to Highway 2 heading west. Continue on Highway 2 through Airway Heights and Fairchild is approximately 3 miles from Airway Heights on the left hand side of the road. You will see signs indicating where to turn into the base.
Driving East on I-90:
If you are heading east on I-90 driving toward Spokane take exit 277B onto Highway 2 heading west. This exit is before you actually go into Spokane. Continue on Highway 2 through Airway Heights and Fairchild is approximately 3 miles from Airway Heights on the left hand side of the road.
Directions from Bus/Train Station:
When leaving the bus/train station, head west on I-90, then take Exit 277 onto Hwy 2. Travel west towards Airway Heights. Fairchild AFB is located 3 miles past Airway Heights.
Directions from the Airport:
Leaving Spokane International Airport (GEG), take West Airport Dr. towards Hwy 2. Travel west towards Airway Heights. Fairchild AFB is located 3 miles past Airway Heights.
There is no government-funded base mass transportation on this installation. The Spokane Transit Authority Bus Route 61 stops at the Visitor Center at the Front gate to the base. Route maps and schedules are available on the Spokane Transit website at the following link. https://www.spokanetransit.com/routes/airport-via-brownes-add/
Government subsidized monthly vanpool fare and monthly bus passes are available for all military and AF civilian personnel of Team Fairchild. To learn more please contact Josh Potter at 509-247-8139 or joshua.potter.2@us.af.mil.
Commercial: 509-247-1212
DSN: 312-657-1212