Bellingham WA vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.0 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 79.5% | 50.4% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Bellingham +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $1,006,261 | Bellingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.2% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 61.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.9 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while bellingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $669,185. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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