1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bellingham, WA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bellingham, Washington as of August 2026. That's +30% lower than the citywide median of $1,956 and +1% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Bellingham
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bellingham
Compare Bellingham's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $737 |
| 2 | Pullman | $880 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | $890 |
| 4 | Port Angeles | $890 |
| 5 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 6 | Chehalis | $980 |
| 7 | Shelton | $980 |
| 8 | Ellensburg | $1,010 |
| 9 | Sedro-Woolley | $1,026 |
| 10 | Yakima | $1,040 |
| 11 | Cheney | $1,070 |
| 12 | Spokane | $1,096 |
| 13 | Wenatchee | $1,100 |
| 14 | Longview | $1,150 |
| 15 | Spokane Valley | $1,164 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,335 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,130 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,880 |
| 4 | Maple Valley | $2,680 |
| 5 | Woodinville | $2,600 |
| 6 | Bothell | $2,537 |
| 7 | North Bend | $2,370 |
| 8 | Mukilteo | $2,370 |
| 9 | Covington | $2,370 |
| 10 | Lake Stevens | $2,340 |
| 11 | Bellevue | $2,238 |
| 12 | Edmonds | $2,230 |
| 13 | Dupont | $2,230 |
| 14 | Newcastle | $2,226 |
| 15 | Kenmore | $2,190 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Bellingham.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Bellingham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynden, WA | 13.9 mi | $1,480 | +$103 (+7%) |
| Ferndale, WA | 14 mi | $1,330 | $-47 (-3%) |
| Burlington, WA | 18.6 mi | $1,350 | $-27 (-2%) |
| Anacortes, WA | 22 mi | $1,370 | $-7 (-1%) |
| Blaine, WA | 22.4 mi | $1,340 | $-37 (-3%) |
| Sedro-Woolley, WA | 26 mi | $1,026 | $-351 (-25%) |
| Oak Harbor, WA | 32 mi | $1,230 | $-147 (-11%) |
| Mount Vernon, WA | 34.8 mi | $1,500 | +$123 (+9%) |
| Marysville, WA | 50 mi | $2,075 | +$698 (+51%) |
| Arlington, WA | 50.3 mi | $2,050 | +$673 (+49%) |
| Lake Stevens, WA | 55.1 mi | $2,340 | +$963 (+70%) |
| Everett, WA | 58.1 mi | $1,527 | +$150 (+11%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Bellingham — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Bellingham?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Bellingham, Washington is $1,377 per month. This is +30% below the citywide median of $1,956.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Bellingham?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $55,080 ($4,590/month gross), which works out to roughly $26.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bellingham expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bellingham's 1-bedroom median of $1,377 is +1% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 49th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bellingham rank for 1-bedroom rent in Washington?
Among the 105 cities in Washington with 1-bedroom data, Bellingham ranks #30 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Bellingham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Ferndale ($1,330), Burlington ($1,350), Anacortes ($1,370).