Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Bellingham, WA

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Bellingham are South Hill, Happy Valley, and Samish Hill. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Bellingham, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of January 26, 2025, the average rent in Bellingham is $1,497, which is 0.3% higher than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.

South Hill

Average Rent

$1,189/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

8.2%

TransitScore® Rating

41/100

Units Available

14 Rentals

South Hill is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in South Hill is $1,189 while the city average is $1,497. This is a 8.2% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to State Street Plaza, Skagit Valley College, and Whatcom Community College. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 58.

Happy Valley

Average Rent

$1,395/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.3%

TransitScore® Rating

39/100

Units Available

75 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Bellingham neighborhood on a budget, check out Happy Valley. The average rent is $1,395, compared to the city average of $1,497. Rent prices have decreased by 1.3%. Happy Valley is convenient to Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham International, and Whatcom Community College. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 55.

Samish Hill

Average Rent

$1,442/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1%

TransitScore® Rating

42/100

Units Available

67 Rentals

Samish Hill is an affordable neighborhood in Bellingham with an average rent price of $1,442. Compare this to the city average of $1,497. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 1%. Samish Hill provides easy access to Whatcom Falls Park, Bellingham Technical College, and Viking Plaza. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 70.

Downtown Bellingham

Average Rent

$1,604/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.7%

TransitScore® Rating

52/100

Units Available

11 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Bellingham, Downtown Bellingham might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,604, while the city’s average stands at $1,497. In the last year, prices have increased by 1.7%. Downtown Bellingham is near Maritime Heritage Park, Western Washington University, and Bellingham International.

Fairhaven

Average Rent

$1,648/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

4.5%

TransitScore® Rating

37/100

Units Available

10 Rentals

Fairhaven is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Fairhaven is $1,648 while the city average is $1,497. This is a -4.5% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Bellingham Technical College, Skagit Valley College, and Viking Plaza. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 86.

North Bellingham

Average Rent

$1,719/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.6%

TransitScore® Rating

35/100

Units Available

95 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Bellingham neighborhood on a budget, check out North Bellingham. The average rent is $1,719, compared to the city average of $1,497. Rent prices have increased by 0.6%. North Bellingham is convenient to Bellingham Technical College, Sunset Square, and Whatcom Community College. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 54.

South Bellingham

Average Rent

$1,750/Month

TransitScore® Rating

29/100

Units Available

1 Rentals

South Bellingham is an affordable neighborhood in Bellingham with an average rent price of $1,750. Compare this to the city average of $1,497. South Bellingham provides easy access to Skagit Valley College, Bellingham Technical College, and Sehome Hill Arboretum. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 45.

Edgemoor

Average Rent

$1,750/Month

TransitScore® Rating

19/100

Units Available

1 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Bellingham, Edgemoor might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,750, while the city’s average stands at $1,497. Edgemoor is near Fairhaven Village Green, Western Washington University, and WWU Planetarium.

Bellingham/Northwest

Average Rent

$1,824/Month

Units Available

121 Rentals

Bellingham/Northwest is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Bellingham/Northwest is $1,824 while the city average is $1,497.

Ready to make your move to Bellingham? Check out the rent specials, price drops, and great deals on ApartmentFinder.com!

Methodology

Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.

We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.