Bellingham WA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Orem
77.1%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Orem
1.9%
Orem +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 86,973 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 79.5% | 77.1% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.9% | Orem + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.6% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $33,579 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $60,713 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 25.6% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Orem
7.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 30.3% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.5% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 52.5°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.5 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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