Bellingham WA vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 79.5% | 47.8% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $94,755 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.0% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.9% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $793,154 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 35.4% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Boston
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Boston
10.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.0% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.7% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.7% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 43.8 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 33.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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