Cost of Living in Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, WA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Bellingham, WA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Bellingham, WA?
With a price level of 103.3 (U.S. average = 100), Bellingham, WA is more expensive than average. In detail, housing costs run 13% above average; everyday goods run 5% above average; utilities cost about the same as the national average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Bellingham, WA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.3 | +3.3% |
| Housing | 112.9 | +12.9% |
| Goods | 105.0 | +5.0% |
| Utilities | 99.9 | −0.1% |
| Other services | 99.5 | −0.5% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Bellingham, WA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,463 | $58,520/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,493 | $59,720/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,794 | $71,760/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,495 | $99,800/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,010 | $120,400/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Bellingham, WA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Bellingham, WA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $41,300 | $35,365 |
| $60,000 | $62,000 | $51,997 |
| $80,000 | $82,700 | $67,009 |
| $100,000 | $103,300 | $81,502 |
| $150,000 | $155,000 | $117,209 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Washington 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Bellingham, WA's median wage of $57,820 takes home about $4,053 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,493, which is 37% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,560 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Bellingham, WA
- Federal income tax$4,758
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,585
- Medicare (1.45%)$838
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$48,638
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $44,080 | $37,598 | $36,385 |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,840 | $32,584 | $31,533 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $37,030 | $31,934 | $30,903 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Washington cities
Half of Washington’s 3,550,970 workers earn less than $62,990 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $47,020–$101,710 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Seattle, WA stretches a paycheck furthest, while Wenatchee, WA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $72,610 | 111.1 | $2,022 | 40% | $2,971 | $53,909 |
| Portland, OR | $60,690 | 105.4 | $1,677 | 40% | $2,568 | $48,325 |
| Spokane, WA | $54,660 | 100.3 | $1,168 | 30% | $2,674 | $45,940 |
| Olympia, WA | $61,960 | 103.7 | $1,682 | 39% | $2,648 | $50,125 |
| Kennewick, WA | $57,290 | 100.1 | $1,268 | 32% | $2,750 | $48,174 |
| Yakima, WA | $47,810 | 95.5 | $1,047 | 31% | $2,336 | $42,488 |
| Bremerton, WA | $63,200 | 105.6 | $1,548 | 35% | $2,865 | $50,149 |
| Bellingham, WA | $57,820 | 103.3 | $1,493 | 37% | $2,560 | $47,069 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $59,590 | 102.4 | $1,311 | 31% | $2,861 | $48,867 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $49,290 | 103.9 | $1,143 | 33% | $2,339 | $40,234 |
| Longview, WA | $57,420 | 97.5 | $1,199 | 30% | $2,827 | $49,533 |
| Lewiston, ID | $48,300 | 91.2 | $931 | 27% | $2,485 | $44,964 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $53,100 | 98.5 | $1,181 | 32% | $2,556 | $45,520 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Bellingham, WA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 103.3 | $1,493 | $57,820 | 91,390 |
| Panama City, FL | 97.3 | $1,413 | $45,030 | 90,610 |
| St. George, UT | 97.3 | $1,218 | $45,140 | 90,500 |
| Florence, SC | 86.8 | $922 | $43,520 | 89,060 |
| Medford, OR | 101.4 | $1,229 | $49,900 | 89,060 |
| Oshkosh, WI | 92.9 | $889 | $54,060 | 93,750 |
| Iowa City, IA | 91.5 | $932 | $50,060 | 93,760 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellingham, WA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Bellingham, WA metro area are 103.3% of the U.S. average, with housing at 112.9%. It is the #42 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Bellingham, WA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $62,000 in Bellingham, WA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $57,820.
Can you afford Bellingham, WA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $57,820 median wage takes home about $4,053 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,493 would take 37% of that.
How much is rent in Bellingham, WA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Bellingham, WA are $1,463 for a studio, $1,493 for one bedroom, $1,794 for two bedrooms and $2,495 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Bellingham, WA
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $44,080
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $37,030
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $37,840