Bellingham WA vs Cincinnati OH — 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%
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
7.1%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
49.4%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
2.8%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
5.4%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 7.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 49.4% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 38.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.8% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
$51,707
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
$38,878
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
41.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $51,707 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $38,878 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,300 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 24.5% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 41.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $252,784 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 38.9% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1866 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
16.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 38.3% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.1% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.8% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
47.7 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 54.2°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 47.7 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Cincinnati
24.8 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.8 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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%.
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