Bellingham WA vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 79.5% | 36.8% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.2% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $53,771 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $34,482 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 25.0% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 37.7% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 28.4% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 37.9% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.7% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.2% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 52.2°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 47.1 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.0 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and 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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