CostIndexUSA

Augusta, GA vs Bellingham, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Augusta
91.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Augusta is moderately cheaper than Bellingham — 12.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $89,900 in Bellingham. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+59.9%
Augusta
70.6
Bellingham
112.9
🛒 Groceries+9.0%
Augusta
96.3
Bellingham
105
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Augusta
103.5
Bellingham
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Augusta
93.6
Bellingham
94.5
Utilities+11.6%
Augusta
89.5
Bellingham
99.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Bellingham, WA
$89,900
$9,900 more needed in Bellingham

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 1.1240. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Augusta, GA

Median Home Price
$239,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
70.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.7×

Bellingham, WA

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

Bellingham has 59.9% higher housing costs compared to Augusta.

Income & Job Market

Augusta, GA

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
202,081
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

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).

Augusta, GA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.