Firstly why Bellingham, Washington?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Bellingham
• State: Washington
• Population: 90,373 people
• Bellingham’s quick summary would be famous for its stunning waterfront and vibrant arts community this city offers endless opportunities for adventure and creativity.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 1,300 annually
• While this many move-out: 624 annually
• Net Migration: 676 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,450
• Number of Homeless people: 600

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a picturesque location and access to outdoor activities attracting families

Perk #1: Bellingham Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 33%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 58%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $76,527
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Bellingham is $98,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $21473 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Bellingham’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 131 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,000
• Property Tax %: 0.9%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,300
• Rent for an average house: $2,600
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Bellingham
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Bellingham, Fairhaven, and probably could include Ferndale
• Avg. Age of Homes in Bellingham: 40 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.3%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Bellingham’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Bellingham are  Tourism, Education, and Manufacturing
• Bellingham Job Scene: moderate job market focused on education and tourism
• The General Tech Scene: modest tech presence focused on education, tourism, and local business initiatives
• Bellingham Resident’s pay $2,000 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Bellingham: 8.1%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 270 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 7

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Bellingham

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $132 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-5 runs through Bellingham linking it to the Canadian border
• Commute Time: 27 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: slowdowns on I-5
• Transportation Score: 37 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Bellingham: 60,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.7
• No. of Car Washes: 3 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Bellingham: dol.wa.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 82 of 100
• Local Airport: Bellingham International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Bellingham’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Flood
• General Weather in Bellingham is best described as cool wet winters mild dry summers with heavy rain
• Winter Weather in Bellingham i’d describe as cool with rainy conditions
• Spring Weather in Bellingham can be described as cool with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Bellingham are mostly mild and pleasant
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Bellingham is usually cool and wet
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 5 days in summer
• Days in a row in Bellingham below Freezing: 10
• Average Annual Rainfall: 24 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality with minimal concerns from pollutants
• Bellingham Winter Air generally good air quality few pollution sources

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Bellingham Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Bellingham 7
• While the number of trade schools inside Bellinghams’s city limits are 1
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Bellingham Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Bellingham Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 11 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Bellingham only Doctors is about 85
• Local Hospitals here is  2
• Full-time Bellingham only Police Officers is about 60
• Crime Rate Index: 43/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Bellingham’s Monthly utility bill average is $195
• Bellingham’s Monthly Gym Membership: $50
• Bellingham’s Water Quality Score: 88

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Bellingham

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 4 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: coastal city known for its arts and outdoor recreation
• You might enjoy shows at the Mount Baker Theatre
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Bellingham  offers a lively nightlife with vibrant bars restaurants and cultural events showing local talent

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Bellingham

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes local dining options focusing on fresh ingredients
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 120 scattered around Bellingham
• The Popular Sports Team is Bellingham Bells
• Top Level Political Climate in Bellingham can be described as liberal city with a strong focus on environmentalism
• Bellingham’s Longer standing religious establishment is Bellingham United Methodist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Bellingham Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Bellingham has 5 Parks?
• Bellingham Bay is Bellingham’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Bellingham Farmers Market normally open Saturday 10am-3pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and beach activities

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Bellingham Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Bellingham can be described as relaxed coastal community with a focus on local arts and outdoor activities
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Bellingham beach activities hiking nature trails visiting parks
• The Cities people commute to from Bellingham are Tacoma 10 miles away Puyallup 14 miles away Edgewood 5 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Bellingham or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: slowdowns on I-5. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Bellingham’s Flood risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Bellingham is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Bellingham are Tacoma 10 miles away Puyallup 14 miles away Edgewood 5 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 43 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Bellingham has 10 days in a row below freezing and 5 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Bellingham people have an average (positive or negative) $21473 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   600 homeless people living in Bellingham. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general liberal city with a strong focus on environmentalism could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Bellingham.

Retiree & Senior Life in Bellingham

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for local tax credits focused on retirement income
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale
• Bellingham Senior Center hosts social gatherings educational programs and wellness resources for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Bellingham, Washington?

If Bellingham, Washington ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Bellingham, Washington, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!