Studio Apartment Rent in Bellingham, WA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Bellingham, Washington as of July 2026. That's +32% lower than the citywide median of $1,976 and +4% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bellingham
Compare Bellingham's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Washington
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aberdeen | $790 |
| 2 | Port Angeles | $800 |
| 3 | Pullman | $800 |
| 4 | Chehalis | $870 |
| 5 | Sedro-Woolley | $893 |
| 6 | Ellensburg | $910 |
| 7 | Longview | $930 |
| 8 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 9 | Cheney | $950 |
| 10 | Kelso | $950 |
| 11 | Clarkston | $970 |
| 12 | Shelton | $970 |
| 13 | Spokane | $974 |
| 14 | Wenatchee | $990 |
| 15 | Yakima | $1,027 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Washington
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,255 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,060 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,815 |
| 4 | Maple Valley | $2,610 |
| 5 | Bothell | $2,473 |
| 6 | North Bend | $2,310 |
| 7 | Mukilteo | $2,310 |
| 8 | Covington | $2,310 |
| 9 | Lake Stevens | $2,280 |
| 10 | Newcastle | $2,260 |
| 11 | Edmonds | $2,180 |
| 12 | Bellevue | $2,152 |
| 13 | Kenmore | $2,140 |
| 14 | Monroe | $2,130 |
| 15 | Lynnwood | $2,070 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Bellingham.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Bellingham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynden, WA | 13.9 mi | $1,450 | +$107 (+8%) |
| Ferndale, WA | 14 mi | $1,300 | $-43 (-3%) |
| Burlington, WA | 18.6 mi | $1,210 | $-133 (-10%) |
| Anacortes, WA | 22 mi | $1,230 | $-113 (-8%) |
| Blaine, WA | 22.4 mi | $1,310 | $-33 (-2%) |
| Sedro-Woolley, WA | 26 mi | $893 | $-450 (-34%) |
| Oak Harbor, WA | 32 mi | $1,100 | $-243 (-18%) |
| Mount Vernon, WA | 34.8 mi | $1,340 | $-3 (0%) |
| Marysville, WA | 50 mi | $2,020 | +$677 (+50%) |
| Arlington, WA | 50.3 mi | $1,990 | +$647 (+48%) |
| Lake Stevens, WA | 55.1 mi | $2,280 | +$937 (+70%) |
| Everett, WA | 58.1 mi | $1,490 | +$147 (+11%) |
Studio rent in Bellingham — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Bellingham?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Bellingham, Washington is $1,343 per month. This is +32% below the citywide median of $1,976.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Bellingham?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $53,720 ($4,477/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.83/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bellingham expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Bellingham's studio median of $1,343 is +4% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 54th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bellingham rank for studio rent in Washington?
Among the 103 cities in Washington with studio data, Bellingham ranks #36 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Bellingham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Ferndale ($1,300), Burlington ($1,210), Anacortes ($1,230).