Bellingham WA vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 79.5% | 49.2% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $38,421 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $62,696 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 27.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 460 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 32.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.0% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.6% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 67.4°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.7 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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