Bellingham WA vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Boise
7.2%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 7.2% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.4% | Boise + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 9.5% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $57,074 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $504,894 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Boise
20.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 20.4 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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