Bellingham WA vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 79.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,795 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Sioux Falls
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 405 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 36.9% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.9% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.8% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Sioux Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 45.0°F | Sioux Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sioux Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,043. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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