Bellingham, WA vs Brea, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Bellingham
66.3
#1553 nationally
Brea
64.3
#1700 nationally
Brea leads in median household income ($120,226 vs $64,026). Bellingham leads in average commute (18.7 min vs 31.1 min). Brea leads in crime level (5.8 vs 9.6).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Brea, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.3 (#1553) | 64.3 (#1700) |
| Population | 94,720 | 48,479 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $672,756 | $1,134,146 |
| Median Household Income | $64,026 | $120,226 |
| Average Commute | 18.7 min | 31.1 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 50 |
| Crime Level | 9.6 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 137 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+24.9 | D+2.6 |
D
66.3 Score
Bellingham, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$672,756
Population
94,720
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
49
Pacific
View Bellingham, WA →
D
64.3 Score
Brea, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,134,146
Population
48,479
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
50
Pacific
View Brea, CA →