Looking to rent in Bellingham? Where to find the most affordable neighborhoods
Looking for an affordable place to rent?
Finding an available apartment or home in Bellingham can be a challenge, especially if you’re limited by your budget.
Moving company MoveBuddha ranked Bellingham among the U.S. cities with the most inbound movers in early 2026, McClatchy Media previously reported.
Movers are being drawn to “suburban enclaves where a mortgage won’t break the bank,” MoveBuddha co-founder Ryan Carrigan wrote in an April 21 article. “Places with strong local culture, real university influence and outdoor appeal are drawing attention, too.”
Unfortunately, Bellingham’s popularity has led to a lag between population growth and home construction, the city said.
“Up and down the (Interstate 5) corridor, home values have increased as the region attracted high-paying jobs and subsequent population growth,” the city of Bellingham said on its website, noting that Bellingham’s population increased more than 30% between 2000 and 2020. “Rents soon followed suit.”
Here’s what to know about rental housing options in the Bellingham area
How much does it cost to rent in Bellingham?
As of Wednesday, June 10, the average monthly rent in Bellingham was $2,195, according to the latest data available from real estate website Zillow.
That was a month-over-month decrease of $90, Zillow said, but a $95 increase from June 2025.
A studio apartment cost $1,395 a month on average to rent, while monthly rent for a one-bedroom property averaged $1,511 and a two-bedroom property costs $1,884 to rent on average.
What are most affordable places to rent in Bellingham?
BestNeighborhood mapped out the most and least expensive areas to rent in Bellingham.
“Higher rent prices are common in the southeastern parts of Bellingham while lower rent rates are often available in northwestern areas,” the housing data platform said.
Whatcom House Hunters highlighted a few neighborhoods as budget-friendly places to live in the Bellingham area.
“From high-end, executive communities to compact, affordable neighborhoods, there is an option to suit every family’s needs and budget,” the Bellingham real estate firm said.
The Sunnyland area west of Interstate 5 and north of Whatcom Creek is “one of Bellingham’s most affordable neighborhoods” with a mix of rental properties and smaller, older homes,” Whatcom House Hunters said on the website. “Conveniently located, Sunnyland is close to shopping and public transportation and several nearby schools and churches.”
As of Friday, June 12, there were 10 rental properties available in Sunnyland for as low as $1,850 a month, according to Zillow.
The Lettered Streets neighborhood between the Columbia neighborhood and downtown offers “mostly smaller, affordable homes and rental properties to area students, families and singles on a budget,” Whatcom House Hunters said, with close proximity to businesses, schools and the harbor.
According to Zillow, there were 34 Lettered Streets properties available for rent as of Friday, with monthly rents as low as $1,100.
Looking for housing near the Western Washington University campus? The Sehome neighborhood is “popular with singles, families, retirees, faculty and staff,” Whatcome House Hunters said.
There were 138 rental properties in Sehome available as of Friday, with rent starting $850 a month.
Where are the most expensive neighborhoods for renters?
According to BestNeighborhood, the most expensive places to live in the Bellingham area include Lakeway and South Bellingham.
The Lakeway neighborhood is known for “its accessibility, strong sense of community, and easy proximity to shopping, schools, and recreation,” Skagit County Tree Service said on its website. “From established family homes to apartment living, the neighborhood provides a mix of housing options suited for many lifestyles.”
South Bellingham,west of Interstate 5 at the southern edge of the city, has “large areas of undeveloped property and significant natural features,” the city said.