CostIndexUSA

Bellingham, WA vs Columbus, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Columbus is moderately cheaper than Bellingham — 13.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bellingham, you would need $69,200 in Columbus. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing45.8%
Bellingham
112.9
Columbus
61.2
🛒 Groceries8.3%
Bellingham
105
Columbus
96.3
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Bellingham
104.4
Columbus
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Bellingham
94.5
Columbus
93.6
Utilities10.2%
Bellingham
99.9
Columbus
89.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Columbus, GA
$69,200
$10,800 less needed in Columbus

Formula: salary × (89.3 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8645. 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×

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Bellingham has 45.8% lower housing costs compared to Columbus.

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

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.