Bellingham WA vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 79.5% | 53.2% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 9.1% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $41,594 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,467 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 43.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Saint Paul, 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 +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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