Bellingham, WA vs Lacey, WA

Bellingham, WA and Lacey, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Bellingham scores 129 while Lacey scores 127 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 $1,805/month in Lacey — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bellingham has cheaper rent, Lacey actually has lower median home values ($427,900 vs $577,400).

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $87,277 in Lacey (-24.6%). Lacey 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 Lacey.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 50.5°F). Lacey receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 34.7" in Bellingham.