FY2027 Fair Market Rent · Washington
Whatcom County Fair Market Rent & Income Limits
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Whatcom County, WA is $1,872 a month, up 4.3% from FY2026. The area median family income is $123,300, and a family of four counts as low income up to $95,350 a year.
Fair Market Rent by unit size
FY2027 FY2026
Fair Market Rents are gross rents: rent plus the cost of all utilities except phone, cable and internet.
Check your household
Enter your household size and total yearly income before taxes to see which HUD income category it falls in for Whatcom County, WA.
Low income (80% limit)
A household of 4 earning $93,350 is under the 80% limit of $95,350 for this area. At 30% of income it could pay about $2,334 a month for rent and utilities.
This is a quick comparison with HUD's published limits, not an eligibility decision. Programs count income in their own ways and many have waiting lists; the local housing agency or property decides.
Income limits in Whatcom County
HUD's FY2026 income limits for Bellingham, WA are based on a median family income of $123,300. Programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing and HOME use the 30%, 50% and 80% columns; Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties use the 50% and 60% Multifamily Tax Subsidy Project limits.
| People | Extremely low30% / poverty | Very low50% | 60% (LIHTC)MTSP | Low income80% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $25,050 | $41,700 | $50,040 | $66,750 |
| 2 | $28,600 | $47,700 | $57,240 | $76,300 |
| 3 | $32,200 | $53,650 | $64,380 | $85,850 |
| 4 | $35,750 | $59,600 | $71,520 | $95,350 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $64,400 | $77,280 | $103,000 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $69,150 | $82,980 | $110,650 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $73,950 | $88,740 | $118,250 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $78,700 | $94,440 | $125,850 |
Rent history
Since FY2017 the two-bedroom FMR here has gone from $968 to $1,872, up 93.4% over ten years. HUD has published a two-bedroom FMR for this area since FY1983, when it was $369.
What it takes to afford the rent
To keep a two-bedroom rent of $1,872 at no more than 30% of income, the usual affordability rule, a household needs about $74,900 a year. That is 61% of the area median family income of $123,300, so a typical family can afford it with room to spare.
| Unit | FY2027 | FY2026 | FY2025 | Income to affordat 30% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,489 | $1,463 | $1,348 | $59,600 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,529 | $1,493 | $1,381 | $61,200 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,872 | $1,794 | $1,642 | $74,900 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,545 | $2,495 | $2,301 | $101,800 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,129 | $3,010 | $2,757 | $125,200 |
How Whatcom County compares
Whatcom County makes up the Bellingham, WA metro area on its own, so HUD's metro figures and the county figures are the same.
Whatcom County has the 9th highest two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of the 39 counties in Washington; the population-weighted average across Washington is $2,044 and the nationwide average is $1,751.
Small Area FMRs by ZIP code
HUD also publishes Small Area Fair Market Rents for each ZIP code. In Whatcom County the two-bedroom figure ranges from $1,620 to $2,030 across 19 ZIP codes, against the area-wide $1,872. This area is not on HUD's list of mandatory Small Area FMR areas, so most agencies here use the area-wide FMR; an agency may still opt in to ZIP-level rents.
| ZIP | Place | 2 BR SAFMR | 110% payment std. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98276 | Nooksack | $2,030 | $2,233 |
| 98264 | Lynden | $2,000 | $2,200 |
| 98229 | Bellingham | $1,960 | $2,156 |
| 98262 | Lummi Island | $1,940 | $2,134 |
| 98225 | Bellingham | $1,920 | $2,112 |
| 98247 | Everson | $1,890 | $2,079 |
| 98227 | Bellingham | $1,870 | $2,057 |
| 98228 | Bellingham | $1,870 | $2,057 |
| 98231 | Blaine | $1,870 | $2,057 |
| 98226 | Bellingham | $1,850 | $2,035 |
| 98240 | Custer | $1,810 | $1,991 |
| 98230 | Blaine | $1,800 | $1,980 |
| 98248 | Ferndale | $1,790 | $1,969 |
| 98266 | Maple Falls | $1,650 | $1,815 |
| 98220 | Acme | $1,620 | $1,782 |
| 98244 | Deming | $1,620 | $1,782 |
| 98281 | Point Roberts | $1,620 | $1,782 |
| 98283 | Rockport | $1,620 | $1,782 |
| 98295 | Sumas | $1,620 | $1,782 |
Questions
What is the Fair Market Rent in Whatcom County, WA for 2027?
For FY2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027) HUD's Fair Market Rents in Whatcom County, WA are $1,489 for a studio, $1,529 for one bedroom, $1,872 for two bedrooms, $2,545 for three and $3,129 for four bedrooms, per month including utilities.
What is the area median income in Whatcom County, WA?
HUD's FY2026 median family income for the area is $123,300, up 13.7% from $108,400 in FY2025.
What is 80% of AMI in Whatcom County, WA for a family of 4?
The FY2026 low-income limit (80%) for a household of four is $95,350 a year. The very low-income limit (50%) is $59,600 and the extremely low-income limit is $35,750.
What is the 60% AMI limit for tax credit housing in Whatcom County, WA?
Under HUD's FY2026 Multifamily Tax Subsidy Project limits, the 60% limit is $50,040 for one person and $71,520 for four.
Is the Fair Market Rent the same as the Section 8 payment standard?
No. Housing agencies set their payment standard between 90% and 110% of the FMR (for a two-bedroom here: $1,685 to $2,059), and can ask HUD for exceptions. Check the payment standard with your local housing agency.