Bellingham WA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 79.5% | 26.4% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.3% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $45,300 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $27,319 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 10.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 25.5% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 18.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 25.8% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 40.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 15.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.8% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.3% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 45.9 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.4 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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