Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Bellingham
34.5
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Athens
57.6%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 92,367 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.5 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.1% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 26.2% | 1.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 10.0% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Bellingham
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Bellingham
46.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.6% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 18.3% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 46.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $669,185 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 45.2% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellingham
26.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellingham
7.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellingham
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bellingham
10.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 51.7°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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