Bellingham WA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.9 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 79.5% | 76.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.6% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $75,331 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 33.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 35.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.9% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 44.6 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.7 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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