Akron OH vs Bellingham WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
White
Akron
56.1%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 92,367 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 9.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 56.1% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 29.4% | 1.3% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 10.0% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 18.3% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $669,185 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 45.2% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Bellingham
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 19.7% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.5% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 51.7°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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