CostIndexUSA

Bellingham, WA vs Vallejo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent

Bellingham is moderately cheaper than Vallejo — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bellingham, you would need $84,000 in Vallejo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+25.8%
Bellingham
112.9
Vallejo
142
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bellingham
105
Vallejo
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Bellingham
104.4
Vallejo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Bellingham
94.5
Vallejo
95.3
Utilities+55.2%
Bellingham
99.9
Vallejo
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Vallejo, CA
$84,000
$4,000 more needed in Vallejo

Formula: salary × (108.5 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 1.0503. 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×

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Vallejo has 25.8% 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

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Vallejo, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.