Bellingham WA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.3 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 79.5% | 59.4% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 33.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Tacoma
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Tacoma
3409
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Tacoma, 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%
Bellingham +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 37.3% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 53.5°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 39.2 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 31.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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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