Bellingham WA vs Bloomington MN — 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%
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Bloomington
37.3
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Bloomington
72.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Bloomington
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 71,261 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.3 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 14.1% | Bloomington + |
| White | 79.5% | 72.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 8.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 9.5% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 5.1% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Bloomington
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Bloomington
36.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $103,382 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $44,640 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 36.1% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $366,438 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 85.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Bloomington
26.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Bloomington
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Bloomington
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Bloomington
11.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 26.8% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.2% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Bloomington
27.0 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.0 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while bloomington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $366,438. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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