Bellingham WA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.3 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 79.5% | 68.8% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.0% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $66,354 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 40.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 37.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.0% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.0% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.2% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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