Bellingham WA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Lakewood
1.4%
Lakewood +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.0 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 8.5% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 76.0% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.4% | Lakewood + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.1% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 45.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Lakewood
3234
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Lakewood + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Lakewood
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.7% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.7% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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