Bellingham WA vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 79.5% | 35.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $62,894 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $41,142 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.7% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 36.0% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 42.0% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 38.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 24.0% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.6% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 48.7 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Houston, 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 +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 29.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bellingham, WA vs New York, NYBellingham, WA vs Los Angeles, CABellingham, WA vs Chicago, ILBellingham, WA vs Phoenix, AZBellingham, WA vs Philadelphia, PABellingham, WA vs San Antonio, TX