Bellingham WA vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Gresham
67.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 112,818 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 79.5% | 67.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 4.4% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Gresham
$35,390
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Gresham
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $35,390 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 23.6% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $472,119 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Gresham
3001
Gresham +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Gresham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Gresham
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Gresham
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 31.2% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.3% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.4% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.0% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.3% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gresham, OR | 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 +
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Gresham
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 28.8 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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