Bellingham WA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 79.5% | 61.6% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.2% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 28.6% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.9% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.8% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.7% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.2 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. 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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