Bellingham WA vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Kent
2.3%
Kent +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 84,389 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.8 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 79.5% | 67.2% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.3% | Kent + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.9% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Kent
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $35,662 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 27.0% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $657,911 | Kent + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Kent
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Kent
3409
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Kent
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.3% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 53.2°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 39.1 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.0 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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