Bellingham WA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 5.5% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 27.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.3% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 4.8% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $55,687 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $32,068 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $51,690 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.9% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 33.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 400 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 46.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.0% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.3% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 64.5°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 52.8 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.0 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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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