salaryRent is higher than in 58% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 18.1 minutes. Most households rent (55%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $72,440 a year. That is $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Washington. It is number 54 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bellingham?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bellingham
| Size | Bellingham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,279 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,420 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,787 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,253 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,082 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bellingham overall?
Everyday prices in the Bellingham metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bellingham
Life in Bellingham
What jobs pay in Bellingham
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $161,260 | 13.5% |
| Pharmacist | $156,490 | 13.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $147,890 | 14.7% |
| Lawyer | $131,480 | 16.5% |
| Software Developer | $128,250 | 16.9% |
| Operations Manager | $125,840 | 17.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,850 | 17.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $107,790 | 20.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,920 | 20.5% |
| Plumber | $102,750 | 21.2% |
| Police Officer | $101,810 | 21.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,230 | 21.5% |
| Firefighter | $101,130 | 21.5% |
| Electrician | $97,590 | 22.3% |
| Accountant | $85,450 | 25.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,740 | 27.6% |
| Carpenter | $73,260 | 29.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $72,190 | 30.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,570 | 34.2% |
| Truck Driver | $61,890 | 35.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $57,410 | 37.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $56,700 | 38.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,040 | 45.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,940 | 46.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,570 | 47.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,370 | 47.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,840 | 57.4% |
| Cashier | $37,250 | 58.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bellingham?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,543 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $627,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $62,750 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bellingham, WA?
Renting in Bellingham costs a median of about $1,811 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Bellingham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $72,440 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bellingham cheap or expensive?
Bellingham is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.2% of the typical household income of $71,995. It ranks 54th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bellingham?
The median homeowner in Bellingham pays $4,353 a year in property taxes, about 0.69% of the median home value.
Is Bellingham more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bellingham?
The median home value in Bellingham is $627,500, about 8.7 times the typical yearly household income.
93,438 people live in Bellingham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.