Bellingham WA vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 79.5% | 63.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 4.2% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $64,137 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,080 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 19.5% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 51.8°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 39.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.0 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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