Bellingham WA vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Peoria
72.6%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Peoria
3.4%
Peoria +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 42.1 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 79.5% | 72.6% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.4% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 35.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Peoria
$488,428
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $488,428 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Peoria
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Peoria
10.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 29.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.6% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 31.2 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,428. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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