Bellingham WA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Bellingham +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 74.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.2% | Bellingham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.7% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 44.0% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Westminster
3234
Westminster +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Westminster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 27.7% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.7% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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