Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Bellingham, WA
🏆 Arvada leads 17 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066 ✓ Larger
Bellingham
Washington
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,026
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
91,353
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $41,988 more per year on average
18% less violent crime than Bellingham
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (3.8%)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Bellingham, WA
Pros
Rent averages $321/mo less ($1,385 vs $1,706)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 88°F
Homes cost $24k less ($528,600 vs $553,000)
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $41,988/yr
Property crime (3756.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.8% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$41,988
$106,014 vs $64,026/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
18% lower
285.6 vs 350.0 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.8% unemployment
Arvada
Summer Heat
13.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 75.1°F
Bellingham
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 104.1 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Bellingham
Median Home Value
$24k less
$528,600 vs $553,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Bellingham, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 104.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $528,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $1,385⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $64,026 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 18.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 12.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 179⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 46.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 94.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Bellingham School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 47.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 75.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 38.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 3.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 ✓ Larger | 91,353 |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 33.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 45.6% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% ✓ More | 13.5% |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 16.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Bellingham's 104.1 (US average = 100).
Bellingham is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 17 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 17 and Bellingham wins 6. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arvada to Bellingham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $528,600 median home), income ($106,014 vs $64,026), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Bellingham, WA are about 1,051 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.