CostIndexUSA

Bellingham, WA vs Johnson City, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Johnson City
87.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Johnson City is moderately cheaper than Bellingham — 14.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bellingham, you would need $68,100 in Johnson City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing44.0%
Bellingham
112.9
Johnson City
63.2
🛒 Groceries8.4%
Bellingham
105
Johnson City
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.3%
Bellingham
104.4
Johnson City
99.9
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Bellingham
94.5
Johnson City
90.4
Utilities28.0%
Bellingham
99.9
Johnson City
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Johnson City, TN
$68,100
$11,900 less needed in Johnson City

Formula: salary × (87.9 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8509. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bellingham, WA

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

Johnson City, TN

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
63.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1×

Bellingham has 44.0% lower housing costs compared to Johnson City.

Income & Job Market

Bellingham, WA

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

Johnson City, TN

Median Household Income
$56,800
Per Capita Income
$32,400
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
68,006
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Bellingham, WA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Johnson City, TN
3.4×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.