Bellingham WA vs Cape Coral FL — 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%
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
48.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
72.9%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cape Coral +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
1.6%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 206,387 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 48.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 17.9% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 79.5% | 72.9% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 4.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.6% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 25.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
$39,603
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
25.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $76,062 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $39,603 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 9.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 25.7% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $339,638 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 77.7% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
12.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 30.6% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.5% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Cape Coral
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cape Coral, FL | 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
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Cape Coral
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Cape Coral
31.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 31.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
Compare More Cities
Bellingham, WA vs New York, NYBellingham, WA vs Los Angeles, CABellingham, WA vs Chicago, ILBellingham, WA vs Houston, TXBellingham, WA vs Phoenix, AZBellingham, WA vs Philadelphia, PA