CostIndexUSA

Bellingham, WA vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Memphis is moderately cheaper than Bellingham — 10.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bellingham, you would need $71,400 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing29.3%
Bellingham
112.9
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries8.4%
Bellingham
105
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.1%
Bellingham
104.4
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare4.1%
Bellingham
94.5
Memphis
90.6
Utilities25.8%
Bellingham
99.9
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$71,400
$8,600 less needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8925. 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×

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Bellingham has 29.3% lower housing costs compared to Memphis.

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

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

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)

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.