Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 92,367 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 9.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 27.4% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.0% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.3% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $669,185 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 45.2% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3409 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.7% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.5% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 51.7°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. 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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