Bellingham WA vs Los Angeles CA — 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.9 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 79.5% | 37.3% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 8.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 37.8% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $956,465 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 36.3% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
27.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
11.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 27.3% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 62.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 33.8 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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