Bellingham WA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.6 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 79.5% | 70.1% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 28.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.7% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 78.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 26.5 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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