Bellingham WA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 79.5% | 51.9% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $45,845 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $27,570 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 29.6% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 30.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 41.3% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 434 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 41.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.8% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 41.5 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. 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, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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