Moving from Seattle, WA to Bellingham, WA
About 3,993 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Bellingham, WA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 18.4% of income in Seattle, WA and 18.4% in Bellingham, WA.
Seattle, WA Bellingham, WA (monthly)
| Monthly | Seattle, WA | Bellingham, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,075 | $1,075 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $47 | $47 | $0 |
| WA Cares Fund (long-term care) – employee2026 tax law | $34 | $34 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,759 | $4,759 | $0 |
| Housing | $2,180 | $1,529 | −$651 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,180 | $1,529 | −$651 |
| Food | $458 | $463 | +$5 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 105.0 | $458 | $463 | +$5 |
| Transportation | $217 | $217 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.42/gal (WA weekly average) | $217 | $217 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $34 | $34 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $34 | $34 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $1,054 | $1,023 | −$32 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 105.0 | $520 | $525 | +$5 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.5 | $534 | $497 | −$37 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $816 | $1,493 | +$678 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 13.7% of income in Seattle, WA and 13.7% in Bellingham, WA.
Seattle, WA Bellingham, WA (monthly)
| Monthly | Seattle, WA | Bellingham, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,374 | $1,374 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $81 | $81 | $0 |
| WA Cares Fund (long-term care) – employee2026 tax law | $58 | $58 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,626 | $8,626 | $0 |
| Housing | $2,549 | $1,872 | −$677 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,549 | $1,872 | −$677 |
| Childcare | $3,594 | $2,595 | −$1,000 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $290/wk, school-age $200/wk (2022 prices, Whatcom County, WA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $3,594 | $2,595 | −$1,000 |
| Food | $1,334 | $1,347 | +$14 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 105.0 | $1,334 | $1,347 | +$14 |
| Transportation | $434 | $434 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $5.42/gal (WA weekly average) | $434 | $434 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $34 | $34 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $34 | $34 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $1,054 | $1,023 | −$32 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 105.0 | $520 | $525 | +$5 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.5 | $534 | $497 | −$37 |
| Left over after modeled costs | −$372 | $1,322 | +$1,694 |
Seattle, WA vs Bellingham, WA at a glance
| Measure | Seattle, WA | Bellingham, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 111.1 | 103.3 |
| Housing price level | 151.3 | 112.9 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,180 | $1,529 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,549 | $1,872 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,324 | $2,545 |
| Median home value | $717,500 | $585,800 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.85% | 0.70% |
| Median household income | $115,177 | $81,784 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $478 | $363 |
| State income tax on wages | No | No |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6.5% | 6.5% |
| Regular gasoline | $5.42 | $5.42 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $124 | $124 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Bellingham, WA to keep my Seattle, WA lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Seattle, WA, about $59,261 in Bellingham, WA (−15.3%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $94,250. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Bellingham, WA cheaper than Seattle, WA?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Bellingham, WA is at 103.3 and Seattle, WA at 111.1 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$678 a month in Bellingham, WA.
How many people move from Seattle, WA to Bellingham, WA?+
About 3,993 people a year (±616), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.