Bellingham WA vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 82,506 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 48.4 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 79.5% | 74.1% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.7% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $60,465 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $36,322 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 26.8% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 38.9% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.3% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 72.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 54.8 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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