Bellingham WA vs Burlington VT — 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%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 44,649 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 7.2% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.7% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 3.3% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $68,854 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $39,027 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,829 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 23.0% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Burlington
$510,361
Burlington +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $510,361 | Burlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 39.8% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.3% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.1% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Burlington
36.8 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 36.8 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Burlington
20.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 20.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while burlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,361. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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