Bellingham WA vs Denver 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 79.5% | 62.9% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.6% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $541,899 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Denver
3234
Denver +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Denver + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 25.9% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.4 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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