Bellingham, WA vs Tacoma, WA

Bellingham, WA and Tacoma, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Bellingham scores 129 while Tacoma scores 125 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 $1,597/month in Tacoma — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bellingham has cheaper rent, Tacoma actually has lower median home values ($454,600 vs $577,400).

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $83,857 in Tacoma (-21.5%). Tacoma 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 22.9% in Tacoma.

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