Bellingham, WA vs Yakima, WA

The cost of living difference between Bellingham, WA and Yakima, WA is dramatic. Yakima is 44% cheaper than Bellingham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellingham has a cost index of 129 while Yakima sits at 89, 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 $1,075/month in Yakima — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yakima is more affordable at $273,400 median vs $577,400.

Median household income in Bellingham is $65,821 compared to $59,228 in Yakima (+11.1%). 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 21.8% in Yakima.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 50.8°F). Bellingham receives more rainfall at 34.7" per year compared to 8" in Yakima.