Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Bellingham
34.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 92,367 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 9.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 39.9% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 46.9% | 1.3% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 10.0% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Bellingham
$65,821
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Bellingham
$42,120
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Bellingham
46.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $65,821 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $42,120 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.3% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 46.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $669,185 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 45.2% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.7% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.5% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. 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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