Salary Needed to Live in Bellingham as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $21,981/year to live comfortably in Bellingham, WA — including 10% savings.
Comfortable Salary
$21,981
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$18,970
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,154
6% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Bellingham
| Expense | Bellingham | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Studio/1BR Rent | $133 | $113 | +18% |
| 🛒 Groceries | $23 | $17 | +35% |
| ⚡ Utilities | $13 | $14 | -7% |
| 🚗 Transportation | $29 | $26 | +12% |
| 🛡️ Car Insurance | $163 | $215 | -24% |
| 🏥 Health Insurance | $58 | $54 | +7% |
| Internet | $74 | $65 | +14% |
| Phone | $97 | $85 | +14% |
| Dining & Social | $342 | $300 | +14% |
| Entertainment | $137 | $120 | +14% |
| Personal Care | $85 | $75 | +13% |
| Total Monthly | $1,154 | $1,084 | +6% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$1,154
Target savings (10%):$149/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,303
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$21,981
Other Household Types in Bellingham
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Bellingham?
A single person needs approximately $21,981/year ($1,832/month gross) to live comfortably in Bellingham with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Bellingham?
A studio/1br in Bellingham costs approximately $133/month, which is the largest single expense at 12% of the total budget.
Is Bellingham affordable for a single person?
Bellingham is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.