Bellingham WA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 79.5% | 61.8% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Seattle
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $871,599 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 44.3% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Seattle
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Seattle
3409
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.0% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 52.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 37.5 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.8 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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