Bellingham WA vs Garland TX — 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 79.5% | 37.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $31,477 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 25.0% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Garland
2339
Garland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 34.7% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.0% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 22.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 69.1°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 49.5 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 32.5 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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