Bellingham WA vs Gastonia 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 81,632 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 7.3% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 55.2% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.2% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $60,554 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $33,611 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 27.7% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 37.8% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.5% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.6% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 60.5°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 43.0 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gastonia, 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 +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, 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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