Apartments for Rent in Bellingham, WA (346 Rentals)

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Bellingham, WA Local Guide

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Bellingham Overview

Bellingham, WA is a gorgeous coastal city located between Seattle and Vancouver in the Pacific Northwest. The availability of Bellingham apartments is plentiful with many different communities to choose from. It’s near a large college, so the youthful spirit of the town comes through with all kinds of activities for people that love the outdoors to do. The vibe is artsy and free spirited, but is also a nice place to raise a family. 

What is the history of Bellingham?

The history of the city dates back to immigrants reaching the area in 1854. The gold rush of the time also brought adventurers from California up to the region to seek out their fortunes. Originally it was a coal mining town, but wasn’t officially incorporated until 1903. Today it has a population of around 90,000 people. 

How is the weather in Bellingham?

The weather around Bellingham apartments is mild with a yearly average temperature of 60 degrees. The summers are pleasantly warm in the 70s and 80s for the most part, but it can get up to 90 on a rare day. It gets slightly less rain than Seattle, which is known to be a rainy climate. The winters can be pretty cold with some freezing rain and snow blowing off the Fraser River Valley. 

How do I get around town?

Bellingham is an hour and 40 minutes from Seattle for those that don't mind a very long commute to work. Getting around the area is mainly by car, bike, or walking. The Whatcom Transportation Authority is the public transit system that includes bus service for 31 different routes. The nearest airport is Bellingham International Airport. 

What is the Bellingham commute like?

The long commute to Seattle is a consideration when you live in Bellingham apartments. The airport does run commuter flights up to Seattle each day for people that can afford this luxury. There are three state highways that run through the city, including Interstate 5 making it very easy to get around the city by car. 

What are the local media outlets?

News stations, NBC, ABC, and CBS that are shown in Bellingham, WA operate from Seattle. FOX is broadcast from Tacoma, WA. There are many radio stations that come from Bellingham, including The Drive for classic rock, which is very popular. The Bellingham Herald is the local paper that comes out daily. 

Why live in Bellingham, WA?

Living in any of the ideal Bellingham apartments is going to put you in a location you will love. The city is very bike-friendly with many different outdoor activities to enjoy along Bellingham Bay. There are also gorgeous mountains to hike, like the Chuckanut Mountains along the Skagit Valley. The population of college students that live in the city is big so rent tends to be more affordable than in a city like Seattle. 

What Bellingham landmarks should I see?

The college town atmosphere is due to the fact that Western Washington University is located there. Other popular landmarks to enjoy are the Whatcom Museum of History and Art and the Bellingham Railway Museum. There is also a 241 acre park called the Whatcom Falls Park, which is very popular with local residents. 

What is there to do around Bellingham?

It’s definitely an outdoor lover’s paradise near any Bellingham apartments. The water sports you can enjoy on the Bay include kayaking, sailing, and canoeing. People also hike and camp throughout the area to getaway from larger cities like Seattle or Tacoma. For things indoors, there are many breweries with craft beer selections, a live-music scene in different venues, and quite a few busy community theaters to see shows all year long. 

Any annual festivals or Bellingham events to know?

The Bellingham Seafest is a big one that takes place each September on the Bay at Zuanich Pointe Park. Another popular festival is the Sh’Bang Festival of Ideas which is an oddball mashup of art installations and carnival games. Finally, you don’t want to miss the Chuckanut Oktoberfest each year which is a feast of German food and of course, beer. 

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

Since the drive to Seattle is under two hours, many people like to go on vacation up there when they are looking to get out of the great outdoors and experience big city life. Vancouver, British Columbia is only 90 minutes away for another lovely vacation spot where you can even whale watch. For national parks, check out North Cascades National Park in Northern Washington, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Marblemount, Washington, and Gulf Island National Park Reserve in Sidney, British Columbia. 

Where is the best place to move in Bellingham?

In order to find the best in Bellingham apartments, all you have to do is look towards the coastline. There are many great condos and apartments along the water. There is also a popular downtown area in Bellingham that offers one, two, and three bedroom apartments. Some of the better neighborhoods include Whatcom Falls, Alabama Hill, Birchwood, Cornwall Park, and Sunnyland.

Bellingham, WA
Population: 90,665

Ranked #366

in US Census Population by City

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Bellingham, WA

Ranked #312

Among cities in Washington for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Bellingham, WA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Bellingham, WA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Bellingham, WA

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Getting Around Bellingham, WA

Walk Score®

60 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

64 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

36 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bellingham

How much are Studio apartments in Bellingham?

There are currently 68 Studio Apartments in Bellingham with rent ranges from $1,300 to $2,220 with an average price of $1,524.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Bellingham Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Bellingham ranges from $1,175 to $2,800 with an average monthly rent of $1,716.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Bellingham cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Bellingham range from $1,133 to $3,975. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $2,246.

How expensive are Bellingham Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 81 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Bellingham on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $800 to $3,395 - averaging $2,373 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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As a digital nomad, you no longer call a set address or office building your home for eight hours of the day or more.

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Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.

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Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.

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Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting

Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD

While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.