Bellingham WA vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 81,679 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 4.7% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 47.3% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.6% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 4.7% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $56,864 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $35,847 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $55,297 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 23.2% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 29.4% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 643 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2824 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 45.6% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 18.0% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 62.4 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles 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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