Living in Bellingham, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bellingham · Census data 2020–2024
Bellingham has 93,438 residents with a median age of 34.1. The median household income is $66,755 (32% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $627,500, the median rent is $1,577/month.
Bellingham at a glance
- Population
- 93,438
- Median age
- 34.1State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $66,755State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $627,500State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $1,577/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 44.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48.5%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Bellingham a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Washington median; home values 11% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 18.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Bellingham
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bellingham the median home value is $627,500, 89% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,577 per month, which is 37.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,331 a month in housing costs.
Bellingham median household income
The median household income in Bellingham is $66,755 and the income per person is $42,947. 18.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Bellingham: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 43,792
- Owner-occupied
- 44.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 55.4%
- Vacant
- 5.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1986
- Average household size
- 2.15
Bellingham demographics
- Population
- 93,438
- Median age
- 34.1
- Under 18
- 13.8%
- 65 and older
- 16.5%
- Households
- 41,500
- Foreign-born
- 8.5%
- Veterans
- 4.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bellingham ›
Education in Bellingham
48.5% of adults 25 and older in Bellingham have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 19.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bellingham
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 14.7%
- Drive alone
- 63.7%
- Public transit
- 3.3%
- Walk to work
- 6.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.8%
Bellingham vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | 93,438 | $66,755 | $627,500 | $1,577 |
| Geneva | 2,073 | $142,188 | $801,100 | $1,795 |
| Marietta-Alderwood | 3,754 | $76,019 | $547,100 | $1,496 |
| Sudden Valley | 6,084 | $100,930 | $489,200 | $1,816 |
| Ferndale | 15,999 | $87,579 | $549,300 | $1,477 |
| Alger | 687 | $109,151 | $700,000 | — |
| Acme | 223 | $67,361 | $507,100 | — |
| Everson | 3,040 | $80,250 | $450,300 | $1,294 |
| Custer | 477 | $93,598 | $527,600 | — |
More for people moving to Bellingham
Bellingham ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bellingham: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bellingham, WA?
The median household income in Bellingham is $66,755, 32% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bellingham?
The median home value in Bellingham is $627,500, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Bellingham?
The median gross rent in Bellingham is $1,577 per month, about 37.2% of household income.
Is Bellingham, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Washington median; home values 11% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 18.6%.
What is the median age in Bellingham?
The median age in Bellingham is 34.1 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Bellingham?
The average commute to work in Bellingham is 18 minutes; 14.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bellingham?
The unemployment rate in Bellingham is 5.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bellingham?
48.5% of adults in Bellingham have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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