Bellingham WA vs Brockton 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%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Brockton
36.5
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Brockton
29.2%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Brockton
2.2%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 105,080 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 79.5% | 29.2% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 38.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.2% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Brockton
$35,524
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Brockton
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Brockton
21.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $77,089 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $35,524 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 8.3% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 21.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $506,468 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 57.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Brockton
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Brockton
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Brockton
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Brockton
17.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 35.9% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 21.4% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 17.7% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Brockton
49.9 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 49.2°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 49.9 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 34.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Brockton 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 Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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