Bellingham, WA vs Goleta, 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
Goleta
65.8
#1608 nationally
Goleta leads in median household income ($113,889 vs $64,026). Goleta leads in crime level (5.6 vs 9.6). Bellingham leads in cost of living index (137 vs 192).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Goleta, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.3 (#1553) | 65.8 (#1608) |
| Population | 94,720 | 32,665 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $672,756 | $1,364,943 |
| Median Household Income | $64,026 | $113,889 |
| Average Commute | 18.7 min | 18 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 9.6 | 5.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 137 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+24.9 | D+26.7 |
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
65.8 Score
Goleta, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,364,943
Population
32,665
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Pacific
View Goleta, CA →
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