CostIndexUSA

Bellingham, WA vs Napa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
CA
Napa
112.6
overall index
$2,825/mo rent

Bellingham is moderately cheaper than Napa — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bellingham, you would need $87,200 in Napa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+74.8%
Bellingham
112.9
Napa
197.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bellingham
105
Napa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Bellingham
104.4
Napa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Bellingham
94.5
Napa
95.3
Utilities+56.7%
Bellingham
99.9
Napa
156.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Napa, CA
$87,200
$7,200 more needed in Napa

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 1.0900. 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×

Napa, CA

Median Home Price
$867,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,825
Housing Index
197.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.6×

Napa has 74.8% higher housing costs compared to Bellingham.

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

Napa, CA

Median Household Income
$104,700
Per Capita Income
$59,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
79,426
Top Industries
WineTourismHealthcareAgricultureRetail

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)

Napa, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.