Bellingham WA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 79.5% | 58.0% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $35,825 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.8% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 34.1% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 42.4% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 35.3% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.9% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 48.1 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.3 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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