Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
5.4%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 92,367 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 9.1% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.3% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 5.4% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 10.0% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Bellingham
$65,821
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Bellingham
$42,120
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
46.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $65,821 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $42,120 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 18.3% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 46.5% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $669,185 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 45.2% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Bellingham
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Bellingham
10.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.7% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.5% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.5% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Bellingham
35.3 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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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