FY2027 Small Area FMR · Blaine, WA

ZIP 98230 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 98230 (Blaine, WA) is $1,800 a month, up 5.3% from FY2026. That is 4% below the Bellingham, WA area-wide FMR of $1,872.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,800per month ▲ 5.3%

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

Rank in the area12thof 21 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,620

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,800

110% of SAFMR$1,980

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

Studio$1,430▲ 2.9%

1 BR$1,470▲ 3.5%

2 BR$1,800▲ 5.3%

3 BR$2,450▲ 2.9%

4 BR$3,010▲ 4.9%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 98230 sits in the Bellingham, WA area

Of the 21 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 98230 has the 12th 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 $1,800 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	$1,430	$1,287 – $1,573	$1,489	$1,390
1 bedroom	$1,470	$1,323 – $1,617	$1,529	$1,420
2 bedrooms	$1,800	$1,620 – $1,980	$1,872	$1,710
3 bedrooms	$2,450	$2,205 – $2,695	$2,545	$2,380
4 bedrooms	$3,010	$2,709 – $3,311	$3,129	$2,870

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,800 needs about $72,000 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 98230 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
98240	Custer	3.8 mi	$1,810
98248	Ferndale	7.3 mi	$1,790
98264	Lynden	11.1 mi	$2,000
98281	Point Roberts	15.9 mi	$1,620
98226	Bellingham	16.0 mi	$1,850
98225	Bellingham	16.2 mi	$1,920

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 98230?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 98230 are $1,430 (studio), $1,470 (1 BR), $1,800 (2 BR), $2,450 (3 BR) and $3,010 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 98230?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 98230 that range is $1,620 to $1,980 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 98230?

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.