Bellingham WA vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 79.5% | 59.2% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $45,611 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $30,282 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 28.0% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 38.5% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Gainesville
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 31.2% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 21.3% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.9% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.8% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 68.9°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 47.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 20.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville 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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