ZIP Code · WA

ZIP 98248

Part of Ferndale, WA

Pop. 28,498·Whatcom County·86th most expensive ZIP in Washington

Median rent (all units)

$2,110/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.3%

Month-over-Month

-0.9%

vs US Median

+$178

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 98248 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 98248 · $2,110

More expensive than 67% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,440

1 BR

$1,470

2 BR

$1,770

3 BR

$2,460

4 BR+

$2,970

Research median

$1,770/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 98248 is 1.2% below its high of $2,135 in June 2026, at $2,110 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Washington

Rent in ZIP 98248 changed +3.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.5%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($91,060) is $2,277 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,770); a 3-bedroom is $2,460.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 98225, 10 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,776/mo), about $4,000 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 98248. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$25,320/yr

At $2,110/mo median

Location

CityFerndale

StateWA

CountyWhatcom County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.3% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 98248 (Ferndale, WA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 33.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

28,498

Median income

$91,060

Median age

37.7

Renters

23.3%

Age distribution

22.8%

22.9%

24.8%

18.1%

Under 1822.8%

18–3422.9%

35–5424.8%

55–6411.3%

65+18.1%

Gender

49.4%

50.6%

Male49.4%

Female50.6%

Race & ethnicity

77.9%

White77.9%

Black0.5%

Hispanic9.5%

Asian6.5%

Other5.5%

Education (25+)

24.1%

35.3%

33.8%

No HS diploma6.8%

HS diploma24.1%

Some college35.3%

Bachelor's+33.8%

Housing tenure

76.7%

23.3%

Owner76.7%

Renter23.3%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 98248 in Ferndale, WA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,916 → $2,110

up 10.1%

Income

$80,716 → $91,060

up 12.8%

Population

26,404 → 28,498

up 7.9%

Renter share

24.3% → 23.3%

-1.0 pts

Bachelor's+

31.8% → 33.8%

+2.0 pts

Median age

36.8 → 37.7

+0.9 yrs

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 98248 in Ferndale, WA paid around $1,916 a month. That figure now sits near $2,110, up 10.1% from the 2023 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 98248 in Ferndale, WA now reports about $91,060, up from $80,716 in 2021. Census counts show ZIP 98248 in Ferndale, WA adding about 2,094 residents over the five-year window, up 7.9% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 31.8% to 33.8% across the same window. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 98248 in Ferndale, WA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 98248

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 98248

About renting in ZIP 98248

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 98248 covers Ferndale, WA. The median rent here is $2,110/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,470/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,770/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($91,060/yr), ZIP 98248 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 98248?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $84,000/year (about $40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,110/mo in ZIP 98248. The local median household income is $91,060/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 98248?

Rent in ZIP 98248 has risen 3.3% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 1.2% below its high of $2,135 in June 2026.

How does ZIP 98248 compare to other ZIPs in Washington?

ZIP 98248 is in the middle among Washington ZIP codes for rent, ranking #86 of 207 at $2,110/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 98248 changed +3.3%, against a typical +2.5% across the 193 Washington ZIP codes Zillow tracks.