Bellingham WA vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.7 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 79.5% | 69.8% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.5% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $36,477 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 31.4% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 41.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.6% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 53.0°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 39.7 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salem, 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.5 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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