Bellingham WA vs Colorado Springs 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
35.6
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.6 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 7.4% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 72.3% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.0% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 41.9% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $451,202 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Colorado Springs
3234
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Colorado Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
11.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 28.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.0% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.9% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.0% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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