BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Living expenses in Whatcom County are more affordable here compared to the rest of the state, according to a recent study.

SmartAsset ranked Whatcom as having the 10th-highest purchasing power in Washington.

Purchasing power was measured as each county’s cost of living relative to their local income.

Whatcom County had the 10th-highest cost of living at $43,000 and the 13th-highest median income at just under $63,000 per year.

King County had the highest purchasing power in the state.

Island and Skagit counties were right behind at third and fourth, respectively.