NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Bellingham, WA

Metro Market Score 58.5 (Challenging), ranked #237 of 378 metros. 719 establishments, 10,643 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 58.5
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

💰High-Cost Market⚡Rising Wages

Bellingham stands out for high retail trade labor costs. Wage competitiveness hits 83.9 (above the 70th percentile of metros), and year-over-year wage pressure at 72.5 signals continued increases. Plan for higher payroll if entering this market.

Industry Concentration
49.2
LQ: 1.14
Rank #186 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
83.9
$42,238 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 64.3
Employment growth index
Rank #136 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
72.5
YoY wage change index

719 Retail Trade Firms in Bellingham

719
Establishments
+2.6% YoY
10,643
Total Employment
+0.2% YoY
$42,238
Average Annual Wage
+2.1% YoY
1.14
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Bellingham vs Washington Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Washington overall. The state ranks #20/51 for entry risk.

Measure Bellingham WA Statewide
Overall Score 58.5 Challenging 42.0 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #237 of 378 metros #20 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Bellingham

Administrative and Support Services 43.8 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 47.1 Healthcare and Social Assistance 50.5 Information 55.4 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 60.1 Finance and Insurance 61.5 Other Services 70.1 Accommodation and Food Services 74.1 Construction 77.4

Retail Trade in Other Washington Metros

Walla Walla 51.0 #153/378 Kennewick-Richland 58.9 #242/378 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 60.7 #263/378 Yakima 67.8 #326/378 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater 69.2 #329/378 Longview-Kelso 69.3 #332/378 Spokane-Spokane Valley 69.7 #334/378 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee 69.9 #337/378 Mount Vernon-Anacortes 71.8 #348/378 Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard 74.0 #361/378

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Bellingham's retail trade sector, the wage competitiveness component (83.9) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.