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ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98225

Pop. 50,216·Whatcom County·140th most expensive ZIP in Washington
Median rent (all units)
$1,916/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.9%
Month-over-Month
-7.3%
vs US Median
-$49
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 98225 · $1,916
More expensive than 56% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,480
1 BR
$1,510
2 BR
$1,820
3 BR
$2,530
4 BR+
$3,050
Research median
$1,820/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
$22,992/yr
At $1,916/mo median
Location
StateWA
CountyWhatcom County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 6.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.9% YoY, -7.3% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98225 (Bellingham, WA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 50.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
50,216
Median income
$63,941
Median age
31.8
Renters
59.7%
Age distribution
42.7%
21.2%
15.6%
Under 1811.1%
18–3442.7%
35–5421.2%
55–649.4%
65+15.6%
Gender
48.2%
51.8%
Male48.2%
Female51.8%
Race & ethnicity
81.1%
White81.1%
Black1.2%
Hispanic9.2%
Asian3.8%
Other4.7%
Education (25+)
15.3%
30.4%
50.1%
No HS diploma4.2%
HS diploma15.3%
Some college30.4%
Bachelor's+50.1%
Housing tenure
40.3%
59.7%
Owner40.3%
Renter59.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 98225 in Bellingham, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,496 → $1,916
up 28.1%
Income
$55,672 → $63,941
up 14.9%
Population
50,046 → 50,216
up 0.3%
Renter share
58.1% → 59.7%
+1.6 pts
Bachelor's+
47.4% → 50.1%
+2.7 pts
Median age
30.7 → 31.8
+1.1 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 98225 in Bellingham, WA has shifted from $1,496 to $1,916, up 28.1% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $55,672 to $63,941 between 2021 and 2024, a 14.9% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has risen from 58.1% to 59.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 47.4% to 50.1% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 98225 in Bellingham, WA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 98225

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 98225 covers Bellingham, WA. The median rent here is $1,916/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,510/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,820/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($63,941/yr), ZIP 98225 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 98225?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 98225 (Bellingham, WA) is $1,916. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 98225 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 98225's median rent of $1,916/mo is $49 (2%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 98225 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98225 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in Washington, ranking #140 out of 209 ZIPs at $1,916/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98225?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,916/mo in ZIP 98225. The local median household income is $63,941/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98225?

Rent in ZIP 98225 has increased 6.9% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 98225 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 98225 is considered moderate for renters. At $1,916/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($63,941/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 98225 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 98225 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.7% of ZIP 98225 households are renters, while 40.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 98225 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 98225 compare to the rest of Bellingham?

ZIP 98225 is more affordable than Bellingham overall. At $1,916/mo, it's $60 below the Bellingham citywide median of $1,976/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 98225 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 98225 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $1,916/mo, rent takes ~36% of ZIP 98225's median household income ($63,941/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 98225 36%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 98225 (Bellingham, WA)

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