Bellingham, WA vs Lakewood, WA

Lakewood is moderately more affordable than Bellingham, with a 8.8% lower cost of living index. Bellingham scores 129 compared to 118 for Lakewood, 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 $1,460/month in Lakewood — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $420,500 median vs $577,400.

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $70,524 in Lakewood (-6.7%). Lakewood 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 Lakewood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 51.9°F). Lakewood receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 34.7" in Bellingham.