Bellingham WA vs Fremont CA — 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.8 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 79.5% | 19.4% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.9% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $1,538,830 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Fremont
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 59.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 33.9 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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