Bellingham WA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Provo
78.6%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Bellingham +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 79.5% | 78.6% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.1% | Bellingham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.2% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $62,800 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $26,755 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 22.3% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 45.0% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 39.9% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 30.7% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 21.5% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 53.4°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Provo
20.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 20.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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