Cost of Living in Bellingham, WA

With a cost of living index of 129, Bellingham, WA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 29% more expensive than the national average and 9% above the Washington state average of 119. With a population of 92,367, Bellingham is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Bellingham's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,478 (12% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $577,400 (89% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 8.8x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Bellingham is $65,821, which is 12% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 27% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to Bellingham. The area sees an average annual temperature of 51.2°F, with summers averaging 63°F and winters around 41°F. Annual rainfall totals 34.7 inches spread over roughly 169 days.

Everyday prices in the Bellingham, WA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.