Bellingham WA vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Clearwater
70.3%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 117,075 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 46.4 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 79.5% | 70.3% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.6% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Clearwater
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $64,440 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 32.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Clearwater
33.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 33.3% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.7% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.0% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 73.8°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 54.7 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.3 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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