Bellingham WA vs Buffalo NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 79.5% | 45.4% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $48,050 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $30,995 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 27.4% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 30.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 42.7% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 38.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.1% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 40.5 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Buffalo
21.6 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.6 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. 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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