Whatcom County, WA at a glance
Median household income
$81,784$6,815 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Whatcom County, 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 Whatcom County, 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 | 21.5% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,493 | $17,916 | $59,720 | 21.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,794 | $21,528 | $71,760 | 26.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,495 | $29,940 | $99,800 | 36.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,010 | $36,120 | $120,400 | 44.2% |
What a typical income covers in Whatcom County, WA
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $81,784 a year ($6,815 a month before tax).
What $81,784 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 Whatcom County, WA: common questions
What is the median household income in Whatcom County, WA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Whatcom County, WA is $81,784 per year (approximately $6,815 per month).
What is the average rent in Whatcom County, 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 Whatcom County, 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 Whatcom County, 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 88% of what the typical household in Whatcom County, WA earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Whatcom County, WA?
On the local median income of $81,784 ($6,815 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,408 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,045 for everything else and $1,363 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,794 takes 53% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Whatcom County, 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.