Bellingham WA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 79.5% | 50.9% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $36,138 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 29.9% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 44.0% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Lowell
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 27.2% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 47.0 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 30.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bellingham, WA vs New York, NYBellingham, WA vs Los Angeles, CABellingham, WA vs Chicago, ILBellingham, WA vs Houston, TXBellingham, WA vs Phoenix, AZBellingham, WA vs Philadelphia, PA