Bellingham WA vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Columbia
74.3%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 8.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 74.3% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 4.3% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $64,488 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $37,359 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,527 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.0% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 501 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2418 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Columbia
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Columbia
18.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 30.1% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.1% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 56.0°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 46.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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