Bellingham WA vs Billings MT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Billings
2.0%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Bellingham +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Billings
7.2%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 118,321 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.1 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 2.0% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.0% | Bellingham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 0.9% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 7.2% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Billings
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Billings
37.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $62,117 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 37.0% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $398,212 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 433 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 33.9% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.0% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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