Bellingham, WA at a glance
Median household income
$66,755$5,563 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Bellingham, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Bellingham, WA? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Bellingham, WA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,463 | $17,556 | $58,520 | 26.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,493 | $17,916 | $59,720 | 26.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,794 | $21,528 | $71,760 | 32.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,495 | $29,940 | $99,800 | 44.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,010 | $36,120 | $120,400 | 54.1% |
What a typical income covers in Bellingham, WA
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $66,755 a year ($5,563 a month before tax).
What $66,755 leaves after Washington taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Washington tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Washington
Living in Bellingham, WA: common questions
What is the median household income in Bellingham, WA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Bellingham, WA is $66,755 per year (approximately $5,563 per month).
What is the average rent in Bellingham, WA?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,463 for a studio, $1,493 for one bedroom, $1,794 for two, $2,495 for three and $3,010 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Bellingham, WA expensive to live in?
Prices there run 3.3% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 103.3, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Bellingham, WA?
To keep a $1,794 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $71,760 a year, or $5,980 a month. That is 107% of what the typical household in Bellingham, WA earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Bellingham, WA?
On the local median income of $66,755 ($5,563 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,781 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,669 for everything else and $1,113 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,794 takes 64% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Bellingham, WA?
Homes in Washington paid 14.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $134. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.