Bellingham WA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 79.5% | 73.0% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 9.3% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,837 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 32.7% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.8% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 37.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Madison, WI | 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 +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.2 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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%.
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