F
87%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
248%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Bainbridge Island Washington National
Cost of living187118100
Goods & Services120111100
Groceries116110100
Health care138120100
Housing348135100
Transportation128123100
Utilities10292100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bainbridge Island, WA

Knowing the cost of living in Bainbridge Island allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Bainbridge Island stands at 187, marking it 87% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Bainbridge Island may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Bainbridge Island falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Bainbridge Island cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 247.9% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Bainbridge Island, these items will cost you 19.5% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Bainbridge Island, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 16.3% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Bainbridge Island?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 10 residents in Bainbridge Island to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 30% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 70% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Bainbridge Island Affordable?

Is Bainbridge Island affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Bainbridge Island, for instance, where the median home price falls 324.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 69.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Bainbridge Island flaunting a median household income of $125,861, 127.5% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bainbridge Island?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Bainbridge Island, healthcare costs are 37.6% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Bainbridge Island, the transportation index is 28.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Bainbridge Island, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bainbridge Island is 59% higher than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Bainbridge Island is 87% higher than the national average
  • Bainbridge Island housing is 248% higher than the national average
  • Washington general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Washington state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bainbridge Island

See all the best places to live around Bainbridge Island

Compare Bainbridge Island, WA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$137,184$11,432$3,201$4,116
      Renters$76,422$6,369$1,783$2,293
      The affordability of the housing market in Bainbridge Island, WA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Bainbridge Island homeowners, the median income is $137,184. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $3,201 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $76,422. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,783 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Washington Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Washington 6.5% 10.4%

      Washington Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Washington 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bainbridge Island National avg. Difference
      Haircut $50.20$24.26106.9%
      Beauty Salon $72.25$45.5658.6%
      Toothpaste $3.96$3.706.9%
      Shampoo $1.40$1.289.5%
      Movie $16.37$12.1334.9%
      Bowling $21.59$18.0019.9%

      Groceries

      Item Bainbridge Island National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.54$5.845.1%
      Fried Chicken $2.55$1.5762.0%
      Milk $5.10$4.679.2%
      Potatoes $4.49$4.938.9%
      Pizza $14.40$12.0919.2%
      Beer $12.14$10.4116.6%

      Health Care

      Item Bainbridge Island National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $198.49$125.6857.9%
      Doctor $236.25$135.7874.0%
      Dentist $149.39$113.2931.9%
      Ibuprofen $12.47$10.6517.0%
      Lipitor $446.40$468.604.7%

      Housing

      Item Bainbridge Island National avg. Difference
      Home Price $783,600.00$184,700.00324.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,924.20$2,346.69109.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,612.00$949.0069.9%

      Transportation

      Item Bainbridge Island National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.66$3.4634.8%
      Tire Balancing $67.20$59.9212.1%

      Utilities

      Item Bainbridge Island National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.41$193.990.3%
      Phone $202.97$192.255.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Port Gamble Tribal Community, WA7831066.3%
      Navy Yard City, WA2,97311414.3%
      Erlands Point-Kitsap Lake, WA3,09511515.3%
      East Port Orchard, WA5,06912121.4%
      Bremerton, WA41,25812222.2%
      Bainbridge Island, WA24,85918787.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Burlington, IA24,8588812.1%
      North Laurel, MD24,85613131.1%
      Denison, TX24,851981.7%
      Forest Grove, OR24,84712626.4%
      Kernersville, NC24,8761010.6%
      Bainbridge Island, WA24,85918787.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.