Bellingham WA vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.8 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 79.5% | 44.0% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $399,509 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Durham
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Durham
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Durham
11.2%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 36.8% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.7% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.2% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 57.9°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 47.8 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.3 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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