FY2027 Small Area FMR · Bellingham, WA

ZIP 98226 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 98226 (Bellingham, WA) is $1,850 a month, up 5.1% from FY2026. That is 1% below the Bellingham, WA area-wide FMR of $1,872.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,850per month ▲ 5.1%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,872Bellingham, WA

Rank in the area10thof 21 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,665

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,850

110% of SAFMR$2,035

Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.

Studio$1,470▲ 2.8%

1 BR$1,510▲ 3.4%

2 BR$1,850▲ 5.1%

3 BR$2,520▲ 2.9%

4 BR$3,090▲ 4.7%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 98226 sits in the Bellingham, WA area

Of the 21 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 98226 has the 10th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Bellingham, WA is not on HUD's list of mandatory Small Area FMR areas, so voucher payment standards here are normally based on the area-wide FMR of $1,872 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,850 for this ZIP code instead.

All unit sizes

Monthly gross rent including utilities
Unit	FY2027 SAFMR	Payment standard range	Area-wide FMR	FY2026 SAFMR
Studio	$1,470	$1,323 – $1,617	$1,489	$1,430
1 bedroom	$1,510	$1,359 – $1,661	$1,529	$1,460
2 bedrooms	$1,850	$1,665 – $2,035	$1,872	$1,760
3 bedrooms	$2,520	$2,268 – $2,772	$2,545	$2,450
4 bedrooms	$3,090	$2,781 – $3,399	$3,129	$2,950

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,850 needs about $74,000 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $123,300 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $95,350. ZIP code 98226 lies mainly in Whatcom County. See the Bellingham, WA county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
98225	Bellingham	3.8 mi	$1,920
98229	Bellingham	7.1 mi	$1,960
98248	Ferndale	9.2 mi	$1,790
98247	Everson	9.5 mi	$1,890
98276	Nooksack	10.5 mi	$2,030
98264	Lynden	10.6 mi	$2,000

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 98226?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 98226 are $1,470 (studio), $1,510 (1 BR), $1,850 (2 BR), $2,520 (3 BR) and $3,090 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 98226?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 98226 that range is $1,665 to $2,035 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 98226?

The FY2026 income limits of the Bellingham, WA area apply: median family income $123,300, low-income (80%) limit $95,350 for a family of four.