Bellingham WA vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.4 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 79.5% | 51.2% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.9% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $37,269 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 31.9% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 34.8% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.9% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.8% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 70.2°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 50.0 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 26.0 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bellingham, WA vs New York, NYBellingham, WA vs Los Angeles, CABellingham, WA vs Chicago, ILBellingham, WA vs Houston, TXBellingham, WA vs Phoenix, AZBellingham, WA vs Philadelphia, PA