Bellingham, WA vs Federal Way, WA

Bellingham, WA and Federal Way, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Bellingham scores 129 while Federal Way scores 133 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellingham is $1,478/month compared to $1,738/month in Federal Way — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bellingham has cheaper rent, Federal Way actually has lower median home values ($499,600 vs $577,400).

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $82,144 in Federal Way (-19.9%). While Federal Way is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellingham spend roughly 26.9% of their income on rent, more than the 25.4% in Federal Way.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 53.7°F). Federal Way receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 34.7" in Bellingham.