How much does it cost to rent in Bellingham, WA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Bellingham, WA is $1,976. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Bellingham cheaper than other Washington cities?

Bellingham falls in the middle range for Washington, ranking #67 out of 110 cities at $1,976/mo.

When was Bellingham rent data last updated?

Bellingham rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Bellingham a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Bellingham is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 4.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · WA

Bellingham

Name: Average Rent Prices in Bellingham, WA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 93,438·67th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Bellingham, WA

Median rent (all units)

$1,976/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.7%

Month-over-Month

-3.8%

vs US Median

+$11

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Bellingham · $1,976

More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

79/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what Bellingham's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,976/mo

Expected by trend

$2,306/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bellingham's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,343

1 BR

$1,377

2 BR

$1,637

3 BR

$2,293

4 BR+

$2,750

Research median

$1,637/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,712/yr

At $1,976/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 4.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.7% YoY, -3.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Bellingham, WA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 48.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

93,438

Median income

$66,755

Median age

34.1

Renters

55.4%

Age distribution

13.8%

37.5%

23.1%

16.5%

Under 1813.8%

18–3437.5%

35–5423.1%

55–649.1%

65+16.5%

Gender

48.2%

51.8%

Male48.2%

Female51.8%

Race & ethnicity

79.1%

White79.1%

Black1.3%

Hispanic10.2%

Asian5.3%

Other4.2%

Education (25+)

15.4%

31.3%

48.5%

No HS diploma4.8%

HS diploma15.4%

Some college31.3%

Bachelor's+48.5%

Housing tenure

44.6%

55.4%

Owner44.6%

Renter55.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Bellingham, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,541 → $1,976

up 28.2%

Income

$59,163 → $66,755

up 12.8%

Population

90,545 → 93,438

up 3.2%

Renter share

53.6% → 55.4%

+1.8 pts

Bachelor's+

46.4% → 48.5%

+2.1 pts

Median age

33.5 → 34.1

+0.6 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Bellingham, WA has shifted from $1,541 to $1,976, up 28.2% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $66,755 today, compared with $59,163 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Bellingham, WA adding about 2,893 residents over the five-year window, up 3.2% on net. The renter share has risen from 53.6% to 55.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 46.4% to 48.5% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Bellingham

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View Bellingham rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bellingham on your salary?

At $1,976/mo, how Bellingham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $105,818/yr · Rent = 22.4% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $75,130/yr · Rent = 31.6% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $86,542/yr · Rent = 27.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $154,683/yr · Rent = 15.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $197,646/yr · Rent = 12% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $70,347/yr · Rent = 33.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $63,515/yr · Rent = 37.3% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $78,288/yr · Rent = 30.3% income

stretched

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, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bellingham is $1,976/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,343/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,637/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,377/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,293/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($66,755/yr), Bellingham ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bellingham an affordable city for renters?

Bellingham is considered moderate for renters. At $1,976/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($66,755/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 $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,976/mo in Bellingham. The local median household income is $66,755/yr, meaning the typical Bellingham household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bellingham?

Rent in Bellingham has increased 4.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Bellingham neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bellingham are 98225 ($1,916/mo), 98226 ($2,036/mo), and 98229 ($2,172/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bellingham is $1,976/mo.

How does Bellingham rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Bellingham is middle-of-the-pack for Washington for rent, ranking #67 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,976/mo.

What percentage of Bellingham residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 55.4% of Bellingham households are renters, while 44.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Bellingham has a strong rental market.

How does Bellingham rent compare to the national average?

Bellingham's median rent of $1,976/mo is $11 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #67 out of 110 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

36%

MODERATE

At $1,976/mo, rent takes ~36% of Bellingham's median household income ($66,755/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bellingham 36%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Bellingham affordability calculator →

Nearby cities