Bellingham WA vs Rochester 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 26,509 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 7.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.2% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 3.9% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 36.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rochester, 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 +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.3 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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