Bellingham WA vs Lee's Summit 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 102,583 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.6 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 4.2% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 78.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.9% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 5.3% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,527 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 501 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2418 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 32.6% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lee's Summit, 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 +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 26.9 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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