Bellingham WA vs Cambridge MA — 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 117,794 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 79.5% | 57.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 8.9% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $1,041,988 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 33.7% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Cambridge
18.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.3 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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