Bellingham WA vs Salt Lake City 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 79.5% | 70.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.3% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 29.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 52.8°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.3 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City 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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