Bellingham WA vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 79.5% | 44.0% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.3% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $59,183 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $28,059 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,860 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 20.2% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 449 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 41.2% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 18.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 18.3% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 38.1 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.7 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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