Bellingham WA vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 79.5% | 36.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $26,955 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 11.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.0% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 12.4% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 32.2% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.0% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 63.3°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 41.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham 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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