Bellingham WA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 79.5% | 40.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $36,694 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $64,538 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 20.1% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 34.7% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 41.2% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 34.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.4 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Providence 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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