Salary Comparison
Conservation Scientists: Bellingham vs Bellevue
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Bellingham, WA
$68,982/yr
Bellevue, WA
$82,890/yr
Our recommendation: Bellingham, WA
Bellingham offers $360 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Bellingham
Bellevue
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$68,982
$82,890
$13,908
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$4,196
$5,043
$847
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
98
143
-45 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,633
$3,840
$1,207
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,520
$2,450
$930
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,563
$1,203
+$360
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.59×
1.31×
+0.28×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
6/10 (Moderate)
5/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Bellingham — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.