Bellingham WA vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 5.8% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 66.6% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $64,146 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $33,835 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 24.9% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 33.6% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 22.3% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 19.7% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.7% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.0% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 68.5°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 35.7 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos 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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