Ann Arbor MI vs Bellingham WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
34.5
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
79.5%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
5.4%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 92,367 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 79.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
$65,821
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
$42,120
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
46.5%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,821 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,120 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 46.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $669,185 | Ann Arbor + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3409 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
26.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
7.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
10.5%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 26.0% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 8.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.5% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.5% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
35.3 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 51.7°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Bellingham
20.1 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Ann Arbor offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,674. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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