Bellingham, WA vs Bremerton, WA

Bremerton is moderately more affordable than Bellingham, with a 9.2% lower cost of living index. Bellingham scores 129 compared to 118 for Bremerton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bellingham can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellingham is $1,478/month compared to $1,535/month in Bremerton — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bellingham has cheaper rent, Bremerton actually has lower median home values ($409,500 vs $577,400).

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $74,399 in Bremerton (-11.5%). Bremerton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellingham spend roughly 26.9% of their income on rent, more than the 24.8% in Bremerton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 53.8°F). Bremerton receives more rainfall at 36.5" per year compared to 34.7" in Bellingham.