CostIndexUSA

Bellingham, WA vs Springfield, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableMA
Springfield
96.1
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Springfield is moderately cheaper than Bellingham — 7.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bellingham, you would need $74,400 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing32.9%
Bellingham
112.9
Springfield
75.8
🛒 Groceries7.6%
Bellingham
105
Springfield
97
🚗 Transportation+1.8%
Bellingham
104.4
Springfield
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.7%
Bellingham
94.5
Springfield
96.1
Utilities+55.2%
Bellingham
99.9
Springfield
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MA
$74,400
$5,600 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (96.1 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9303. 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×

Springfield, MA

Median Home Price
$356,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
75.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Bellingham has 32.9% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

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

Springfield, MA

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
155,929
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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)

Springfield, MA
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.