Bellingham, WA vs Lake Stevens, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bellingham is 16.8% cheaper than Lake Stevens. With a cost index of 129 vs 155, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bellingham to Lake Stevens should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellingham is $1,478/month compared to $2,189/month in Lake Stevens — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bellingham is more affordable at $577,400 median vs $593,900.

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $118,290 in Lake Stevens (-44.4%). While Lake Stevens 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 22.2% in Lake Stevens.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 51.4°F). Bellingham receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 33.4" in Lake Stevens.