Bellingham, WA vs Pullman, WA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Pullman is 27.2% cheaper than Bellingham. With a cost index of 101 vs 129, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Pullman to Bellingham should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellingham is $1,478/month compared to $1,010/month in Pullman — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pullman is more affordable at $401,700 median vs $577,400.

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $45,097 in Pullman (+46%). While Bellingham 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, less than the 26.9% in Pullman.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 48.6°F). Bellingham receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 17.5" in Pullman.