At $2,519/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,519 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Bellingham changed +0.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 89 Massachusetts cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.8%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($96,763) is $2,419 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($2,190); a 2-bedroom is $2,590.
Woonsocket, RI, 5 miles away, rents for 37% less ($1,577/mo), about $11,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Bellingham. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Bellingham, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 35.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Bellingham, MA has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $96,763 today, compared with $67,006 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 4,212 to 5,325 between 2021 and 2024, a 26.4% change. About 31.2% of households rent today, against 33.9% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Bellingham on your salary?
At $2,519/mo, how Bellingham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Bellingham rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Bellingham. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Bellingham
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Bellingham is $2,519/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,590/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,190/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,120/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($96,763/yr), Bellingham ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Bellingham?
Is rent going up or down in Bellingham?
How does Bellingham rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bellingham?
At $2,519/mo, rent takes ~31% of Bellingham's median household income ($96,763/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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