Bellingham WA vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Bellingham +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 106,274 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 79.5% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.1% | Bellingham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.1% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 21.8% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $970,905 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Boulder
3234
Boulder +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Boulder + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Boulder
8.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.8% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Boulder
21.0 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.0 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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