Bellingham WA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.2 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 79.5% | 69.9% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.2% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 9.2% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $52,606 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 55.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 45.2 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.5 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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