CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Bellingham, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Atlanta is slightly cheaper than Bellingham — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $82,600 in Bellingham. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+1.7%
Atlanta
111
Bellingham
112.9
🛒 Groceries+4.6%
Atlanta
100.4
Bellingham
105
🚗 Transportation+2.9%
Atlanta
101.5
Bellingham
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.8%
Atlanta
91.9
Bellingham
94.5
Utilities+3.8%
Atlanta
96.2
Bellingham
99.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlanta to see what you'd need to earn in Bellingham to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Bellingham, WA
$82,600
$2,600 more needed in Bellingham

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 1.0320. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Bellingham, WA

Median Home Price
$598,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
112.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.6×

Bellingham has 1.7% higher housing costs compared to Atlanta.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Bellingham, WA

Median Household Income
$74,900
Per Capita Income
$42,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
92,314
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Bellingham, WA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.