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City Report · MA

Bellingham

Pop. 5,325·68th most expensive in Massachusetts·Bellingham rents are up 5.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,584/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.5%
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
+$619
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bellingham · $2,584
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,584/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$103,000/yr
Local median income
$96,763/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bellingham's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,070
1 BR
$2,190
2 BR
$2,590
3 BR
$3,120
4 BR+
$3,430
Research median
$2,590/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$31,008/yr
At $2,584/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.5% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
5,325
Median income
$96,763
Median age
44
Renters
31.2%
Age distribution
18.4%
21.4%
23.1%
18.4%
18.6%
Under 1818.4%
18–3421.4%
35–5423.1%
55–6418.4%
65+18.6%
Gender
45.8%
54.2%
Male45.8%
Female54.2%
Race & ethnicity
87.8%
White87.8%
Black0.9%
Hispanic6%
Asian1.7%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
31.4%
27.7%
35.3%
No HS diploma5.6%
HS diploma31.4%
Some college27.7%
Bachelor's+35.3%
Housing tenure
68.8%
31.2%
Owner68.8%
Renter31.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bellingham, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$67,006 → $96,763
up 44.4%
Population
4,212 → 5,325
up 26.4%
Renter share
33.9% → 31.2%
-2.7 pts
Bachelor's+
36.4% → 35.3%
-1.1 pts
Median age
48.1 → 44
-4.1 yrs

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.

Community

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View Bellingham rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bellingham on your salary?

At $2,584/mo, how Bellingham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bellingham rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bellingham. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bellingham

About renting in Bellingham, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bellingham is $2,584/mo as of July 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 32% of local median household income ($96,763/yr), Bellingham ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bellingham an affordable city for renters?

Bellingham is considered moderate for renters. At $2,584/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($96,763/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bellingham slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Bellingham?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $103,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,584/mo in Bellingham. The local median household income is $96,763/yr, meaning the typical Bellingham household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bellingham?

Rent in Bellingham has increased 5.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bellingham rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Bellingham is middle-of-the-pack for Massachusetts for rent, ranking #68 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,584/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bellingham?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bellingham ($2,584/mo): Woonsocket ($1,684/mo), Cumberland ($2,160/mo), Lincoln ($2,167/mo).

What percentage of Bellingham residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.2% of Bellingham households are renters, while 68.8% are owner-occupied. Bellingham leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bellingham rent compare to the national average?

Bellingham's median rent of $2,584/mo is $619 (32%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #68 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $2,584/mo, rent takes ~32% of Bellingham's median household income ($96,763/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bellingham 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Bellingham affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bellingham, MA

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