Bellingham WA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 79.5% | 49.1% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $708,498 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 52.3°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 53.2 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 30.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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