Bellingham WA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.3 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 79.5% | 63.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $62,696 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 35.7% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 460 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 28.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.9% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.8% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 53.0°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.3 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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