Bellingham WA vs Chesapeake VA — 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%
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 6.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 56.2% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.7% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 7.4% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 36.4% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $422,528 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 40.1% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chesapeake, VA | 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
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.3 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while chesapeake offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,528. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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