Bellingham WA vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Medford
N/A
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Medford
N/A
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 79.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Medford
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $410,269 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Medford
355
Medford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Medford
3001
Medford +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Medford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Medford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Medford
19.1%
Medford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Medford
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 33.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.1% | Medford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.4% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.6% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Medford
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 55.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 18.4 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. 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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