Bellingham WA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 68,505 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 79.5% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 1.3% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.2% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 3.1% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,587 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 27.7% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.3% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 47.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.4 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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