Bellingham WA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Bellingham +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 75,721 | Bellingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.0 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 79.5% | 48.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.2% | Renton + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 6.8% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Renton
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Renton
45.2%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $765,686 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 45.2% | Tie |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Renton
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Renton
3409
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 53.2°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 40.1 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.4 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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