Bellingham WA vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 79.5% | 21.8% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $28,813 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 15.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $751,711 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 32.8% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 22.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 57.3°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.8 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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