Bellingham WA vs Charlotte NC — 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 79.5% | 41.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Charlotte
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $399,070 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Charlotte
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Charlotte
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Charlotte
11.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 30.1% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.1% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.4% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Charlotte
41.6 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 59.9°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 41.6 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 26.7 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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