Bellingham WA vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 79.5% | 39.1% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 43.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 45.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 32.6% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.0% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.0% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 37.8 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 36.5 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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