FY2027 Small Area FMR · Blaine, WA

ZIP 98231 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 98231 (Blaine, WA) is $1,870 a month, up 4.5% from FY2026. That is 0% equal to the Bellingham, WA area-wide FMR of $1,872.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,870per month ▲ 4.5%

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

Rank in the area7thof 21 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,683

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,870

110% of SAFMR$2,057

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

Studio$1,490▲ 2.1%

1 BR$1,530▲ 2.7%

2 BR$1,870▲ 4.5%

3 BR$2,540▲ 2.0%

4 BR$3,130▲ 4.3%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 98231 sits in the Bellingham, WA area

Of the 21 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 98231 has the 7th 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 $1,870 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	$1,490	$1,341 – $1,639	$1,489	$1,460
1 bedroom	$1,530	$1,377 – $1,683	$1,529	$1,490
2 bedrooms	$1,870	$1,683 – $2,057	$1,872	$1,790
3 bedrooms	$2,540	$2,286 – $2,794	$2,545	$2,490
4 bedrooms	$3,130	$2,817 – $3,443	$3,129	$3,000

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,870 needs about $74,800 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 98231 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
98230	Blaine	3.4 mi	$1,800
98240	Custer	6.5 mi	$1,810
98248	Ferndale	10.6 mi	$1,790
98264	Lynden	13.4 mi	$2,000
98281	Point Roberts	13.8 mi	$1,620
98226	Bellingham	19.3 mi	$1,850

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 98231?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 98231 are $1,490 (studio), $1,530 (1 BR), $1,870 (2 BR), $2,540 (3 BR) and $3,130 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 98231?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 98231 that range is $1,683 to $2,057 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 98231?

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.