Bellingham WA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.8 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 79.5% | 53.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.9% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $40,309 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 32.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 32.3% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.2% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 72.1°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.7 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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