Bellingham WA vs Kansas City 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 8.5% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 57.8% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.7% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $40,112 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,527 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 37.8% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 501 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2418 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 38.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.0% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.6% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 54.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 38.9 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, 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
Bellingham +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.4 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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 Houston, TXBellingham, WA vs Phoenix, AZBellingham, WA vs Philadelphia, PA