Bellingham WA vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Bellingham +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.9 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 79.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.3% | 0.8% | Bellingham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.5% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 45.7% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $672,082 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 28.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy 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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