Bellingham WA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellingham
92,367
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.4 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 9.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 61.6% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 8.9% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 40.4% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 36.5% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.3% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.0 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellingham. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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