At $2,443/mo, rent takes about 35% 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 $2,443 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 Blaine changed +6.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 97 Washington cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($84,030) is $2,101 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,590); a 3-bedroom is $2,230.
Ferndale, 7 miles away, rents for 14% less ($2,110/mo), about $4,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Blaine. 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
Blaine, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 31.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Blaine, WA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $76,272 in 2021 to $84,030 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 5,773 to 6,100 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.7% change. About 28.9% of households rent today, against 32.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 34% to 31.9%.
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Can you afford rent in Blaine on your salary?
At $2,443/mo, how Blaine rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Blaine rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Blaine. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Blaine
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Blaine is $2,443/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,310/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,590/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,340/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,230/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($84,030/yr), Blaine ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Blaine?
Is rent going up or down in Blaine?
How does Blaine rent compare to other cities in Washington?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Blaine?
At $2,443/mo, rent takes ~35% of Blaine's median household income ($84,030/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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