Bellingham WA vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
37.0
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 58,754 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.0 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 2.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 1.3% | 0.6% | Bellingham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 0.5% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 8.9% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $69,171 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $41,460 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 30.0% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $388,590 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Cheyenne
13.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 33.9% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.3% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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