Cost of Living Comparison Between Wasilla, AK and Bellingham, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Wasilla, AK and Bellingham, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,691 per month in Wasilla, AK vs $2,794 in Bellingham, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,723 per month in Wasilla, AK vs $4,183 in Bellingham, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,755 per month in Wasilla, AK vs $5,572 in Bellingham, WA, rent included.

Wasilla, AK is about 4% cheaper than Bellingham, WA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Wasilla, AK and Bellingham, WA sit above the global median – Wasilla, AK by 101%, Bellingham, WA by 109%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.40 $25.40

$20.12 $20.12

26.24%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.7 $98.7

$86.5 $86.5

14.10%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.93 $11.93

$13.16 $13.16

-9.35%

Cappuccino

$4.46 $4.46

$5.20 $5.20

-14.23%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.53 $2.53

-15.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.01 $2.01

-2.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.97 $5.97

$7.01 $7.01

-14.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.37 $7.37

$5.88 $5.88

25.34%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 $1.11

$1.00 $1.00

11.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.66 $3.66

12.30%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.15 $2.15

$4.23 $4.23

-49.17%

Eggs

$3.27 $3.27

$4.34 $4.34

-24.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.21 $12.21

$17.09 $17.09

-28.55%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.79 $10.79

$15.77 $15.77

-31.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.44 $17.44

$15.20 $15.20

14.74%

Apples (1kg)

$7.87 $7.87

$5.79 $5.79

35.92%

Banana (1kg)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.56 $1.56

27.56%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.21 $4.21

$4.27 $4.27

-1.41%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.77 $3.77

$5.22 $5.22

-27.78%

Potato (1kg)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.93 $2.93

-19.45%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.19 $2.19

27.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.09 $2.09

32.54%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.53 $2.53

-9.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.39 $11.39

$12.44 $12.44

-8.44%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.84 $11.84

$15.27 $15.27

-22.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.76 $1.76

1.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$4.79 $4.79

-21.92%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$0.98 $0.98

102.04%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.8 $88.8

$30.34 $30.34

192.78%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.83 $2.83

$9.90 $9.90

-71.41%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.73 $1.73

$1.72 $1.72

0.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$37.95 $37.95

$53.1 $53.1

-28.48%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$1.16 $1.16

-13.79%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.0K $24.0K

$34.4K $34.4K

-30.14%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.6K $25.6K

$26.0K $26.0K

-1.59%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$176 $176

$180 $180

-2.19%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$40.72 $40.72

$52.3 $52.3

-22.07%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$122 $122

$74.8 $74.8

62.68%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.95 $42.95

$68.1 $68.1

-36.91%

Cinema Ticket

$11.53 $11.53

$18.35 $18.35

-37.17%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$966 $966

$1,445 $1,445

-33.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.4K $10.4K

$23.8K $23.8K

-56.04%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.85 $48.85

$52.2 $52.2

-6.45%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.45 $44.45

$27.95 $27.95

59.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.2 $77.2

$96.7 $96.7

-20.15%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.2 $93.2

$149 $149

-37.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,601 $1,601

$1,697 $1,697

-5.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,346 $1,346

$1,441 $1,441

-6.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,833 $1,833

$2,732 $2,732

-32.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,627 $1,627

$2,448 $2,448

-33.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,994 $3,994

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,075 $4,075

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,156 $4,156

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.46

6.61

-2.27%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Wasilla, AK: April 20, 2026

Last update for Bellingham, WA: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,601 in Wasilla, AK versus $1,697 in Bellingham, WA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99 in Wasilla, AK versus $87 in Bellingham, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $395 in Wasilla, AK vs $439 in Bellingham, WA – so Wasilla, AK wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Wasilla, AK vs Bellingham, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bellingham, WA costs about 4% more than Wasilla, AK, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,036 per month in Wasilla, AK and $4,191 in Bellingham, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Wasilla, AK, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $966 per month in Wasilla, AK and $1,445 in Bellingham, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 11% more in Bellingham, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,691 in Wasilla, AK and $2,794 in Bellingham, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Wasilla, AK – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Wasilla, AK. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bellingham, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.