Moving to Bellingham
What you need to know before relocating to Bellingham, Washington. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Bellingham a Good Place to Live?
Based on data across cost of living, job market, safety, and education, Bellingham compares favorably on multiple dimensions. Highlights include high school graduation rate of 91%; low uninsured rate (6.5%) and good healthcare access.
Bellingham at a Glance
Cost of Living in Bellingham
The median rent in Bellingham is $1,497/month, while the median home value is $611,200. With a median household income of $74,884, residents spend roughly 24% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Bellingham metro area is classified as average compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Bellingham has a median household income of $74,884, which is 0% above the national median. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Bellingham
The violent crime rate in Bellingham is 357 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% below the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2887 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Washington
Washington has a high school graduation rate of 91% and per-pupil spending of $19,847/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1.
41% of Washington adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Washington has 301 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 6.5% uninsured rate, and 1.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Washington is 78.5 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Bellingham
+Pros
- ✓High school graduation rate of 91%
- ✓Low uninsured rate (6.5%) and good healthcare access
-Cons
- ✗Home prices ($611,200) are above the US median
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (98124 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham a good place to live?⌄
Bellingham, Washington has several attributes that make it an attractive place to live, including high school graduation rate of 91% and low uninsured rate (6.5%) and good healthcare access. It scores well on multiple quality-of-life metrics relative to the national average.
What is the cost of living in Bellingham?⌄
The median rent in Bellingham is $1,497/month and the median home value is $611,200. The median household income is $74,884. Overall the metro is considered average.
Is Bellingham safe?⌄
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 357 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Bellingham?⌄
Bellingham has an unemployment rate of 4.0%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $74,884.