Harrington Place
6274 Portal Way,
Ferndale, WA 98248
Studio - 3 Beds | $1,395 - $2,795
Rental Market Trends in Bellingham, WA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in Bellingham, WA is $1,571/month.
Rent in Bellingham is roughly equal to the national average rent of of $1,664/month.
$1,571/month
Average Rent
614 Sq Ft
Average Size
+0.7%
Change / Year
632
Available Apartments
Bellingham rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Bellingham average $1,397 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Bellingham average $1,571 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Bellingham average $1,899 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Bellingham average $2,354 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Bellingham, WA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 0.7%, which averages out to $12 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Bellingham, WA
September 2026
$1,501 - $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
3%
$700 - $1,000/month
24%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
51%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
22%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Bellingham?
Based on current rent prices, Happy Valley, Samish Hill and Downtown Bellingham are the most affordable neighborhoods in Bellingham.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Bellingham?
Based on current rent prices, Stonybrook, Fairhaven and North Bellingham are the most expensive neighborhoods in Bellingham.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Bellingham neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Bellingham with the most apartments available are North Bellingham, Samish Hill and Happy Valley .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Bellingham, WA?
Because the average rent in Bellingham is $1,571, you’ll want to make about $5,236 per month or $62,832 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Bellingham, WA is 22.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Bellingham is 38.0% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,397 - $2,354. You can expect to pay 7.6% more for groceries, 4.9% more for utilities, and 21.5% more for transportation.
How does Bellingham, WA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Bellingham, WA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
View the Bellingham Area GuideStudio
$1,386/month
-
One Bedroom
$1,306/month
-
Two Bedroom
$1,705/month
-
Three Bedroom
$2,421/month
-
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
Apartment Communities in Bellingham We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Bellingham?
The average rent in Bellingham is $1,571 per month, which is 5.6% lower than the national average of $1,664.
What is the average rent for a house in Bellingham?
The average rent for a house in Bellingham, WA is $2,750 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Bellingham?
Rents in Bellingham, WA are increasing, with prices up 0.7% year-over-year and $12 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Bellingham?
In Bellingham, WA, 51% of apartments fall between $1,501 - $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.