Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Bellingham
34.5
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Bellingham
5.4%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 92,367 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.5 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.1% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.3% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 5.4% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 10.0% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Bellingham
$65,821
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $65,821 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 18.3% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $669,185 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 45.2% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.7% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 51.7°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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