Bellingham WA vs Peoria IL — 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 11,626 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 79.5% | 59.6% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.6% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $33,805 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 27.6% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 36.2% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.1% | 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
Bellingham +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 38.0 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 34.4 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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