CostIndexUSA

Bowling Green, KY vs Mount Vernon, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKY
Bowling Green
90.2
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
WA
Mount Vernon
102.4
overall index
$2,125/mo rent

Bowling Green is moderately cheaper than Mount Vernon — 13.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bowling Green, you would need $90,800 in Mount Vernon. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+70.7%
Bowling Green
63.4
Mount Vernon
108.2
🛒 Groceries+9.1%
Bowling Green
96.2
Mount Vernon
105
🚗 Transportation+2.7%
Bowling Green
101.7
Mount Vernon
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.7%
Bowling Green
92
Mount Vernon
94.5
Utilities+27.7%
Bowling Green
75.2
Mount Vernon
96

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bowling Green to see what you'd need to earn in Mount Vernon to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Mount Vernon, WA
$90,800
$10,800 more needed in Mount Vernon

Formula: salary × (102.4 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 1.1353. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bowling Green, KY

Median Home Price
$259,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
63.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,125
Housing Index
108.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.2×

Mount Vernon has 70.7% higher housing costs compared to Bowling Green.

Income & Job Market

Bowling Green, KY

Median Household Income
$60,600
Per Capita Income
$34,500
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
72,294
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationRetailAutomotive

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
36,727
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

Affordability at a Glance

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

Bowling Green, KY
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Mount Vernon, WA
3.6×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.