Median rent is 17% lower in Bellingham ($1,478/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bellingham, where the median home runs $577,400 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $65,821 a year).
City A
Bellingham, WA
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Bellingham, WA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bellingham
Washington
New York
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Bellingham at $1,478/mo compared to $1,779/mo in New York (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $577,400 in Bellingham — 23% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Washington has no state income tax, while New York tops out at 10.90% — giving Bellingham a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.50% in Washington and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bellingham
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.50%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Bellingham.
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,713/yr).
Pick Bellingham if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,478/mo median).
Pick Bellingham if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Bellingham cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Bellingham vs New York?
Median rent is $1,478/mo in Bellingham, WA and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. Bellingham, WA has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Bellingham or New York?
Median household income is $65,821 in Bellingham, WA and $79,713 in New York, NY. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bellingham or New York?
Washington has no state income tax. New York has a top rate of 10.90%.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Bellingham income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology