Bellingham, WA vs Longview, WA

The cost of living difference between Bellingham, WA and Longview, WA is dramatic. Longview is 33.2% cheaper than Bellingham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellingham has a cost index of 129 while Longview sits at 96, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellingham is $1,478/month compared to $1,119/month in Longview — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Longview is more affordable at $339,000 median vs $577,400.

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $60,844 in Longview (+8.2%). Bellingham does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellingham spend roughly 26.9% of their income on rent, more than the 22.1% in Longview.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 53°F). Longview receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 34.7" in Bellingham.