Cost of living index
Bellingham, WA
103.3 / 100
Living in Bellingham, WA is 3.3% more expensive than the US average.
Overall prices
103.3
Housing / rent
112.9
vs US average
+3.3%
What it costs to live in Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, WA has an overall price level of 103.3 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 3.3% higher than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 112.9 it is 12.9% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Bellingham, WA an expensive place to live?
Bellingham, WA has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.3, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 3.3% more expensive than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Bellingham, WA?
Housing in Bellingham, WA scores 112.9 against a US average of 100 — roughly 12.9% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Bellingham, WA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Bellingham, WA sit at 103.3 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 112.9. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.