Bellingham WA vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
75.6%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 97,227 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 5.7% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 75.6% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.1% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $59,074 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $37,885 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $53,714 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 21.4% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $380,101 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 41.9% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 660 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2507 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 33.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.8% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.0% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 58.2°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 45.5 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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