Is Bainbridge Island cheaper than Mercer Island?

Bainbridge Island has the lower day-to-day cost index (164 vs 218 against a national 100). The other differences are shown facet by facet in the table.

What household income in Mercer Island equals $85,000 in Bainbridge Island?

A household earning $85,000 in Bainbridge Island needs about $96,500 in Mercer Island to keep the same lifestyle; coming the other way, $85,000 of Mercer Island lifestyle costs about $73,500 in Bainbridge Island.

City data & comparisons

Residential comparison · 13 facts

Bainbridge Island, WA vs Mercer Island, WA

Compare the housing, tax, cost, income, safety, school, and climate facts that are available for both places. The table shows the numbers without declaring one city universally better.

Personalize this comparison

A household earning $85,000 in Bainbridge Island needs about $96,500 in Mercer Island to keep the same lifestyle.

Coming from Mercer Island, $85,000 of lifestyle costs about $73,500 in Bainbridge Island.

A few differences

Mercer Island is higher on median household income ($219,069 vs $172,188).
Bainbridge Island is lower on cost of living index (164 vs 218).
Bainbridge Island is lower on 2-bedroom rent ($2,438/mo vs $2,929/mo).

Bainbridge Island vs Mercer Island · facet by facet

Facet	Bainbridge Island, WA	Mercer Island, WA
Median home price	$1,155,900	$2,000,001
2-bedroom rent	$2,438/mo	$2,929/mo
Property tax rate	0.87%	0.87%
State & local income tax	0%	0%
Sales tax	9.4%	9.4%
Cost of living index	164	218
Groceries index	106	106
Utilities	$155/mo	$155/mo
Median household income	$172,188	$219,069
Unemployment rate	4.3%	4.3%
Crime index	50/100	50/100
School rating	6.5/10	6.5/10
Sunny days / year	155 days	155 days

Data: Census ACS 2024 · BLS · Tax Foundation 2024 brackets · HUD/Zillow · NOAA 1991–2020 · FEMA NRI · Values are shown as reported; no universal winner is implied.

Full profiles: Bainbridge Island, WA · Mercer Island, WA

Questions & answers

Is Bainbridge Island cheaper than Mercer Island?: Bainbridge Island has the lower day-to-day cost index (164 vs 218 against a national 100). The other differences are shown facet by facet in the table.
What household income in Mercer Island equals $85,000 in Bainbridge Island?: A household earning $85,000 in Bainbridge Island needs about $96,500 in Mercer Island to keep the same lifestyle; coming the other way, $85,000 of Mercer Island lifestyle costs about $73,500 in Bainbridge Island.