Olympia, WA vs Bellingham, WA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Bellingham, WA and Olympia, WA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Olympia works out to about $74,800 in Bellingham, before taxes.
- Housing is 3.2% lower in Bellingham, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,951 a month in Bellingham and $2,043 in Olympia, $1,104 a year less in Bellingham (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $608,000 in Bellingham and $521,000 in Olympia.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.4%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Olympia and Bellingham
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Olympia, WA
- Bellingham, WA
All items Olympia, WA: 103.7 Bellingham, WA: 103.3
Goods Olympia, WA: 105.0 Bellingham, WA: 105.0
Housing (rents) Olympia, WA: 116.7 Bellingham, WA: 112.9
Utilities Olympia, WA: 91.7 Bellingham, WA: 99.9
Other services Olympia, WA: 99.5 Bellingham, WA: 99.5
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Olympia, WA | Bellingham, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.7 | 103.3 |
| Goods | 105.0 | 105.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 116.7 | 112.9 |
| Utilities | 91.7 | 99.9 |
| Other services | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| Category | Olympia | Bellingham | Bellingham vs Olympia |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.7 | 103.3 | −0.3% |
| Goods | 105.0 | 105.0 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 116.7 | 112.9 | −3.2% |
| Utilities | 91.7 | 99.9 | +8.9% |
| Other services | 99.5 | 99.5 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,043 | $1,951 | −4.5% |
| Typical home value | $521,000 | $608,000 | +16.5% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Olympia | $75,000 | $74,800 | −0.3% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Olympia and Bellingham has narrowed since 2008: 9.2 points then, 0.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Olympia, WA
- Bellingham, WA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Olympia, WA | Bellingham, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 105.4 | 96.2 |
| 2009 | 104.1 | 102.3 |
| 2010 | 102.9 | 99.8 |
| 2011 | 105.0 | 103.2 |
| 2012 | 101.3 | 102.0 |
| 2013 | 101.9 | 100.4 |
| 2014 | 104.8 | 101.1 |
| 2015 | 104.1 | 101.2 |
| 2016 | 106.0 | 98.7 |
| 2017 | 106.9 | 101.0 |
| 2018 | 104.8 | 104.2 |
| 2019 | 104.5 | 104.1 |
| 2020 | 101.9 | 103.5 |
| 2021 | 103.5 | 104.6 |
| 2022 | 107.5 | 106.0 |
| 2023 | 106.4 | 104.0 |
| 2024 | 103.7 | 103.3 |
Goods
- Olympia, WA
- Bellingham, WA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Olympia, WA | Bellingham, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.3 | 95.4 |
| 2009 | 106.6 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 105.3 | 97.8 |
| 2011 | 106.1 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 101.1 | 99.7 |
| 2013 | 102.8 | 97.7 |
| 2014 | 104.6 | 96.0 |
| 2015 | 105.8 | 94.9 |
| 2016 | 104.4 | 93.9 |
| 2017 | 108.4 | 99.5 |
| 2018 | 104.8 | 104.8 |
| 2019 | 104.7 | 104.7 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 106.6 | 106.6 |
| 2022 | 109.4 | 109.4 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 105.0 | 105.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Olympia, WA
- Bellingham, WA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Olympia, WA | Bellingham, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 110.9 | 96.6 |
| 2009 | 106.2 | 111.8 |
| 2010 | 109.5 | 104.6 |
| 2011 | 125.3 | 112.4 |
| 2012 | 103.1 | 106.3 |
| 2013 | 108.2 | 103.6 |
| 2014 | 117.1 | 108.5 |
| 2015 | 111.3 | 113.7 |
| 2016 | 114.0 | 103.3 |
| 2017 | 113.1 | 107.2 |
| 2018 | 113.4 | 108.5 |
| 2019 | 116.8 | 112.0 |
| 2020 | 103.3 | 111.0 |
| 2021 | 115.4 | 121.3 |
| 2022 | 120.3 | 109.6 |
| 2023 | 125.9 | 109.6 |
| 2024 | 116.7 | 112.9 |
Utilities
- Olympia, WA
- Bellingham, WA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Olympia, WA | Bellingham, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 80.9 | 75.7 |
| 2009 | 82.5 | 79.0 |
| 2010 | 83.9 | 85.9 |
| 2011 | 86.0 | 88.4 |
| 2012 | 89.0 | 89.5 |
| 2013 | 92.9 | 86.9 |
| 2014 | 92.7 | 88.2 |
| 2015 | 95.7 | 90.8 |
| 2016 | 92.4 | 86.6 |
| 2017 | 92.9 | 82.2 |
| 2018 | 85.4 | 89.0 |
| 2019 | 86.7 | 91.7 |
| 2020 | 87.4 | 91.9 |
| 2021 | 89.1 | 92.1 |
| 2022 | 83.6 | 86.7 |
| 2023 | 81.9 | 86.9 |
| 2024 | 91.7 | 99.9 |
Other services
- Olympia, WA
- Bellingham, WA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Olympia, WA | Bellingham, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.6 | 98.3 |
| 2009 | 103.3 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 100.7 | 100.2 |
| 2011 | 99.6 | 103.5 |
| 2012 | 101.7 | 102.6 |
| 2013 | 100.0 | 101.9 |
| 2014 | 102.2 | 102.6 |
| 2015 | 101.4 | 101.2 |
| 2016 | 105.2 | 100.9 |
| 2017 | 105.0 | 101.1 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 103.4 |
| 2019 | 101.6 | 101.6 |
| 2020 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2021 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2022 | 103.8 | 103.8 |
| 2023 | 102.6 | 102.6 |
| 2024 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,951 in Bellingham vs $2,043 in Olympia
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Olympia, WA
- Bellingham, WA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Olympia, WA | Bellingham, WA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,048 | $958 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,059 | $990 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,075 | $1,020 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,077 | $1,009 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,087 | $1,030 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,126 | $1,053 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,141 | $1,080 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,149 | $1,084 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,177 | $1,114 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,218 | $1,138 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,231 | $1,173 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,238 | $1,168 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,264 | $1,217 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,302 | $1,235 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,309 | $1,259 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,318 | $1,266 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,340 | $1,308 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,377 | $1,327 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,388 | $1,325 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,394 | $1,310 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,430 | $1,415 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,442 | $1,399 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,515 | $1,393 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,517 | $1,408 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,583 | $1,487 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,642 | $1,525 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,714 | $1,578 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,743 | $1,635 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,771 | $1,653 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,831 | $1,727 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,831 | $1,730 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,789 | $1,735 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,813 | $1,791 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,857 | $1,806 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,871 | $1,823 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,861 | $1,804 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,889 | $1,848 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,916 | $1,862 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,918 | $1,863 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,905 | $1,864 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,916 | $1,899 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,978 | $1,937 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,993 | $1,896 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,987 | $1,879 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,987 | $1,948 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,026 | $1,960 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,043 | $1,951 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $608,000 in Bellingham vs $521,000 in Olympia
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Olympia, WA
- Bellingham, WA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Olympia, WA | Bellingham, WA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $238K | $271K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $241K | $277K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $245K | $282K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $251K | $288K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $257K | $296K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $262K | $302K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $267K | $308K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $273K | $316K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $281K | $324K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $286K | $333K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $291K | $343K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $297K | $351K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $304K | $359K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $311K | $371K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $320K | $381K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $324K | $385K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $328K | $390K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $332K | $396K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $338K | $402K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $347K | $411K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $358K | $423K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $367K | $429K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $380K | $440K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $403K | $462K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $428K | $486K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $455K | $519K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $470K | $538K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $478K | $548K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $501K | $579K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $525K | $607K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $515K | $594K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $501K | $578K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $492K | $570K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $496K | $577K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $503K | $582K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $506K | $584K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $511K | $585K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $519K | $594K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $520K | $601K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $525K | $609K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $525K | $611K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $521K | $607K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $521K | $606K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $526K | $612K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $527K | $615K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $522K | $609K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $521K | $608K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.