City Guide
Bellingham, WA
Overview
Bellingham, WA, is recognized for its fishing, lumber industry, breweries, and its college town vibe. The city is home to around 92,000 residents, so if you plan on moving to Bellingham, you can expect to experience some small-town charm. An interesting fact is that the city has easy access to outdoor recreation, including the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades. Bellingham is truly an adventurer's paradise. Another fun tidbit about the city is that it hosts many annual events and is home to Western Washington University.
What’s it like to live in Bellingham, WA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Bellingham, WA you'll find that the median sale price is
$615,280
and homes stay on the market for 10 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in Bellingham are $725,280
and $422,500
, respectively. Bellingham area townhouses have a median sale price of $557,656
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Bellingham, WAExplore our Bellingham housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how Bellingham home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Bellingham rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Bellingham rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Bellingham, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around Bellingham
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairhaven | $657,780 | 58 / 100 | 80 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Happy Valley | $349,312 | 67 / 100 | 48 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| South Bellingham | $600,280 | -- | 25 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Mount Baker | $544,280 | 62 / 100 | 42 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Samish | $1,082,780 | 70 / 100 | 24 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
Bellingham Articles & Neighborhood Content
Read more on the Redfin blog
Popular homes for sale in Bellingham
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Bellingham
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
What is the cost of living in Bellingham?
The cost of living in Bellingham is 21% higher than the national average. Housing is typically the largest expense for most American households. In Bellingham, the average monthly rent is $1,946, while the median home price is $639,140. Overall, housing in Bellingham is 45% higher than the national average. Groceries, like produce, dry goods, and other essential household items, cost 7% higher in Bellingham. Though healthcare costs 13% higher in Bellingham compared to the national average, costs vary greatly by location, person, personal health, and health insurance. In Bellingham, an optometry check-up costs around $231.21, while a dentist appointment is $129.37 on average. Learn more about the cost of living in Bellingham. Discover how utilities, transportation, and lifestyle, compares against the national average.
Compared to the national average
21%
Cost of living
45%
Home prices
Cost of living calculator
Compare cities across the U.S.
Bellingham Migration & Relocation Trends
In Feb '25 - Apr '25, 54% of Bellingham homebuyers searched to move out of Bellingham, while 46% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 0.54% of homebuyers searched to move into Bellingham from outside metros.
- Seattle homebuyers searched to move into Bellingham more than any other metro followed by Los Angeles and Spokane.
Where are people moving to Bellingham from?
- 46% of Bellingham homebuyers searched to stay within the Bellingham metropolitan area.
- Phoenix was the most popular destination among Bellingham homebuyers followed by Ellensburg and Aberdeen.
Where are people from Bellingham moving to?
Number of People Moving to Bellingham
least
most
People are moving to Bellingham from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 3,122 | ||
| 2 | 177 | ||
| 3 | 105 | ||
| 4 | 102 | ||
| 5 | 93 | ||
| 6 | 52 | ||
| 7 | 41 | ||
| 8 | 41 | ||
| 9 | 26 | ||
| 10 | 16 | ||
People are leaving Bellingham for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 68 | ||
| 2 | 29 | ||
| 3 | 24 | ||
| 4 | 20 | ||
| 5 | 19 | ||
| 6 | 17 | ||
| 7 | 10 | ||
| 8 | 9 | ||
| 9 | 9 | ||
| 10 | 8 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in Bellingham, WA ?
Some of the best things to do in Bellingham, WA, range from exploring local parks and taking in the view of Mount Baker, to checking out some of the top restaurants in town and enjoying the art history of the region. Home to a number of museums, make sure to check out Spark Museum of Electrical Invention, Whatcom Museum, and Maritime Heritage Center. If you're looking to see a show make sure to visit Mount Baker Theatre and The Upfront Theatre, just a handful of performing arts venues the city has to offer. There are plenty of green spaces - arboretums, hiking trails, and waterfront parks - to be found throughout Bellingham. For example, you can enjoy a picnic at Boulevard Park, take a hike at Whatcom Falls Park, or explore the scenic views of Lake Whatcom at Bloedel Donovan Park. Whether you're looking for some local seafood or a taste of the town, make sure not to skip over Bellingham's best restaurants. For a quick taste of the town, stop by Anthony's Restaurant, Mykonos Greek Restaurant, or EL Gitano Mexican Restaurant Bellingham.
Explore some of the best things to do in Bellingham
What's the best way to get around Bellingham, WA ?
The best way to get around Bellingham is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Bellingham has a walk score of 49, meaning this area is car dependent. Another way to get around the city is by public transportation. Bellingham has a transit score of 37, with a few nearby public transportation options. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 98225 and 98226. You can also get around Bellingham by bike. With a bike score of 58, there is some amount of infrastructure for biking.
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit Score®
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Bellingham Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Bellingham has 2 heavy rail stations; Amtrak, Amtrak Train Station. This allows you to use heavy rail to commute in and out of the city from the surrounding area and even travel to other cities.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Marine Terminals & Ferries
Bellingham has 2 marine terminals; Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Fairhaven Ferry Cruise Terminal. There are a few ferry lines, which are good for a day trip to a handful of places in the area.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 11 car rental locations.
Airports
Bellingham has 1 airport which allows you to easily travel.
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