A common inquiry we come across is how affordable is Bellingham? This is a crucial question when considering making the move from another state and anticipating an adjustment to a different local market. Even more specific, we are often compared to the cost of living to Seattle. Here, I have broken down the cost of living encompassing multiple focal points that can give you a better idea of how we compare to our neighboring metropolis.
1. The overall cost of living is 20.2% lower in Bellingham than Seattle. How does this pencil? If you currently live in Seattle with an annual salary of $50,000, to maintain this standard of living you can move to Bellingham and make $39,893; that's no small adjustment!
2. The median home price for the rolling 12 months from January 2023 to January 2024 in Seattle is $756,745 and in Bellingham sits 30.2% lower at $581,000 (NWMLS, 2024).
3. The median monthly rent in Seattle is $2,896 compared to Bellingham's $1,903. See the graphic below for a breakdown of median cost per expense; you can see how Seattle and Bellingham compare to the national average. What stands out to me is the disparity in housing; with Seattle sitting at 111% higher than the national average, and Bellingham sitting at 39% higher.
4. The median property taxes by county are calculated to be $3,572 in King County and $2,173 in Whatcom County.
5. Sales tax in King County is 10.25% and Whatcom County is 8.8%.
6. Let's talk about commuting! On average, Seattle-lites spend 28 minutes commuting a day, one minute higher than the national average, and Bellingham spends an average of 18 minutes. The average cost of gas in Seattle was $4.128 in January 2024 and Bellingham was $3.991 in January 2024. Though the difference appears small, it can add up quick! Relative to the rest of the U.S., Seattle gas prices and bus fares are 23% higher; Bellingham's prices are 14% higher. Not to mention the related carbon footprint of annual time spent in cars.
7. We have all felt the weight of cost increases in our daily expenditures; oh, the woes of the grocery store! Grocery prices in Seattle are 25% higher than the national average, and Bellingham's are 13% higher.
8. Need I bring up healthcare? Yes, yes I need. Bellingham's median healthcare costs are also 13% higher than then national average and Seattle's are bumped to 30% above.
Given these numbers, Bellingham remains more affordable in comparison to it's urban neighbor while not compromising on amenities. beauty, and community! If you have any specific inquiries of costs in Bellingham, throw them our way!
