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Bellingham, WA

Cost of living in Whatcom County, WA

Part of the Bellingham Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,307/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 228,432 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,381 42%
Federal tax $540 16%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $369 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $157 5%
Water $60 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Whatcom County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,348
per month
1 bedroom
$1,381
per month
2 bedroom
$1,642
per month
3 bedroom
$2,301
per month
4 bedroom
$2,757
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Whatcom County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$80,989
per year
Individual earnings
$43,052
per year
Per capita
$43,463
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Whatcom County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$536,100
Annual property tax
$3,819

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Whatcom County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$109
per month · 11.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$48
per month
Annual total
$1,884
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Whatcom County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Whatcom County

State and local tax rates for Washington.

No state income tax
Washington does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
6.5%
Combined sales tax
10.2%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Whatcom County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.1 min
Drive alone
70.2%
Public transit
1.9%
Work from home
13.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Whatcom County

What it costs to live in Whatcom County each month.

Single person
$3,307
per month
  • Rent $1,381
  • Energy $157
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $369
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $540
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,791
per month
  • Rent $1,642
  • Energy $188
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $611
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $996
  • State tax $0
Family
$7,616
per month
  • Rent $2,301
  • Energy $236
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $928
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $996
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Whatcom County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Whatcom County?

In Whatcom County, WA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,381 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,642 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,301 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Whatcom County?

In Whatcom County, WA, the average household income is $80,989 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $43,052 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Whatcom County?

The estimated cost of living in Whatcom County, WA is approximately $3,307 per month for a single person, $4,791 for a couple, $7,616 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Whatcom County?

The combined sales tax rate in Whatcom County, WA is 10.23%, which includes the Washington state rate of 6.50% plus an average local rate of 3.73%.

Is Whatcom County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Whatcom County, WA would need approximately $3,307 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $80,989 per year ($6,749 per month). Whatcom County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Whatcom County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Whatcom County, WA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Whatcom County?

The average home value in Whatcom County, WA is $536,100, with average annual property taxes of $3,819, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Whatcom County compare to other areas?

You can compare Whatcom County, WA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Whatcom County is in the Bellingham, WA metro area.

Other counties in Washington

Browse the full list of counties in Washington, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Washington

Compare Whatcom County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources