Bellingham WA vs Bismarck ND — 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%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Bismarck
2.5%
Bismarck +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 74,146 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 3.6% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.5% | Bismarck + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.0% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 3.2% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Bismarck
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Bismarck
38.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $71,089 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 38.7% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $373,227 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2037 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Bismarck
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Bismarck
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Bismarck
12.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 35.2% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.4% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.0% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bismarck
42.4°F
Bismarck +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 42.4°F | Bismarck + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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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