Bellingham WA vs Fishers IN — 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%
Fishers, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$446,903
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Fishers
266,235
Fishers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Fishers
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Fishers
35.0
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Fishers
9.0%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Fishers
66.4%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Fishers
14.6%
Fishers +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Fishers
5.8%
Fishers +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Fishers
10.5%
Fishers +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Fishers
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fishers, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 266,235 | Fishers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.0 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 9.0% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 66.4% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 14.6% | Fishers + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.8% | Fishers + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 10.5% | Fishers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Fishers
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Fishers
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Fishers
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Fishers
5.5%
Fishers +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Fishers
15.6%
Fishers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Fishers
28.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fishers, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $60,293 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $32,884 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,697 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.5% | Fishers + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.6% | Fishers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 28.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Fishers
$446,903
Fishers +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Fishers
62.2%
Fishers +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fishers, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $446,903 | Fishers + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 62.2% | Fishers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Fishers
370
Fishers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Fishers
1719
Fishers +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fishers, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 370 | Fishers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1719 | Fishers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Fishers
32.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Fishers
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Fishers
13.8%
Fishers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Fishers
4.8%
Fishers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Fishers
17.3%
Fishers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Fishers
9.2%
Fishers +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fishers, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 32.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 13.8% | Fishers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 4.8% | Fishers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.3% | Fishers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.2% | Fishers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Fishers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Fishers
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fishers, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Fishers
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Fishers
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fishers, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Fishers
22.8 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fishers, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.8 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while fishers offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $446,903. On public safety, Fishers is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Fishers has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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