| Index | Bainbridge Island | Washington | National |
| Cost of living | 185 | 119 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 345 | 138 | 100 |
| Transportation | 123 | 112 | 100 |
| Utilities | 111 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 112 | 100 |
| Household Items | 112 | 107 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 133 | 117 | 100 |

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 185, marking it 85% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Bainbridge Island is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Bainbridge Island falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Bainbridge Island cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 244.5%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Bainbridge Island, these everyday items will cost you 11.8% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 10 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Bainbridge Island and this is how they responded. 30% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 70% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Bainbridge Island an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Bainbridge Island is 320.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 68% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Bainbridge Island has a median household income of $183,894, which is 126.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Bainbridge Island, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Bainbridge Island, the housing index comes in at 244.5% higher than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Bainbridge Island, the transportation index is 22.9% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Bainbridge Island shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $200,802 | $16,734 | $4,685 | $6,025 |
| Renters | $115,302 | $9,609 | $2,690 | $3,459 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Washington | 6.5% | 10.4% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Washington | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Port Gamble Tribal Community, WA | 802 | 99 | 0.8% |
| Navy Yard City, WA | 3,049 | 110 | 10.0% |
| Erlands Point-Kitsap Lake, WA | 3,196 | 112 | 11.7% |
| East Port Orchard, WA | 5,187 | 118 | 17.8% |
| Bremerton, WA | 42,880 | 119 | 18.8% |
| Bainbridge Island, WA | 25,850 | 185 | 85.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Champlin, MN | 25,860 | 112 | 11.6% |
| Edwardsville, IL | 25,839 | 106 | 6.1% |
| Belvidere, IL | 25,831 | 89 | 10.7% |
| Cave Spring, VA | 25,814 | 107 | 7.3% |
| Ridgewood, NJ | 25,810 | 181 | 80.9% |
| Bainbridge Island, WA | 25,850 | 185 | 85.0% |