Bellingham WA vs Sparks 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Sparks
N/A
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 79.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $62,696 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 460 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 28.6% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.8% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.7% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 52.4°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks 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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