Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Bellingham Neighborhood of Bellingham, WA from $500 (70 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Bellingham area of Bellingham.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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Kerf Apartments
Rent Specials
$1,557 - $2,765
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,557 - $2,765
Total Monthly Price
$1,557 - $2,765
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Kerf Apartments

208 N Samish WayBellingham, WA 98225
Student Housing
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property at 2725 Peabody St

$1,650

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,650
Total Monthly Price
$1,650

Studio, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Aug 1

2725 Peabody St

BellinghamWA98225
property at 140 S Garden St

$1,700

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,700
Total Monthly Price
$1,700

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Sep 20

140 S Garden St

BellinghamWA98225

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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property at 109 Samish Way

$1,850 - $1,950

2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

109 Samish Way

BellinghamWA98225
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4014 Byron Ave, Unit B101
$2,000
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,000
Total Monthly Price
$2,000
2 Bedroom Apartment Available Aug 1

4014 Byron Ave, Unit B101

4014 Byron AveBellingham, WA 98229
Cost Per Sq.Ft.
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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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property at 826 N Garden St

$2,222 - $2,333

3 Bedroom Rentals

Available Sep 5

826 N Garden St

BellinghamWA98225
property at 1019 Jersey St

$2,400 - $2,495

3 Bedroom Rentals

Available Sep 4

1019 Jersey St

BellinghamWA98225
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The Millworks
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

The Millworks

100 W Laurel StBellingham, WA 98225
  • Utilities Included
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Calypso North
Studio to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Calypso North

3815 Elwood AveBellingham, WA 98229
Military
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1118 N Forest
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

1118 N Forest

1118 N Forest StBellingham, WA 98225
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Gateway Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Gateway Apartments

230-250 32nd StBellingham, WA 98225

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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Gateway Lofts
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Gateway Lofts

202 E Holly StBellingham, WA 98225
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Turnstone
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Turnstone

1020 Railroad AveBellingham, WA 98225
  • Utilities Included
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Shearwater
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Shearwater

200 E Maple StBellingham, WA 98225
Student Housing
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MARKETplace
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

MARKETplace

1225 Railroad AveBellingham, WA 98225
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Purnell
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Purnell

2603 Elm StBellingham, WA 98225
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Sea Home View
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Sea Home View

3010 Ferry AveBellingham, WA 98225
  • Utilities Included

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

Downtown Bellingham, Bellingham, WA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Bellingham Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Bellingham area of Bellingham, WA is a 3 Beds unit found at Forest Hill Apartments priced from $845. Gateway Lofts has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,195. Here are the most affordable Downtown Bellingham apartments for rent in Bellingham, WA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Forest Hill Apartments3x1.53BR,1BA$845
Gateway LoftsStudioStudio,1BA$1,195
The Calypso at Samish HillStudioStudio,1BA$1,395
Calypso North0x1Studio,1BA$1,395
The SandpiperStudio/1BAStudio,1BA$1,400
TurnstoneTurnstone - 310Studio,1BA$1,415
ShearwaterShearwater - 209Studio,1BA$1,420
Maritime HeritageStudio (470-489sqft)Studio,1BA$1,425
Ironworks at Old TownStudio/1 BathStudio,1BA$1,450
CondorCondor - 306Studio,1BA$1,475

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Bellingham, WA

As of July 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Bellingham area is the $1.93 price per square foot 2732 Eldridge Ave Model at 2732 Eldridge Ave in the in the Birchwood neighborhood starting from $3,850. The second greatest value Downtown Bellingham apartment is the 3x1.5 Model at Forest Hill Apartments starting at $845 with a $0.56 price per square foot in the WWU neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Bellingham apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
2732 Eldridge Ave2732 Eldridge Ave3BR,1.5BA$1.93
Forest Hill Apartments3x1.53BR,1.5BA$0.56
Stateside4x2 D24BR,2BA$0.69
Samish Flats Luxury Apartment Homes!3-bed 920-922 sq ft3BR,2BA$2.48
2 & 3 Bedroom ~ Briarwood Apartments2 BD/2 Bath2BR,2BA$2.18
Viking Suites3BR/2.0BA3BR,2BA$2.32
Inglewood Apartments2-Bed 1-Bath Apartment Renovated2BR,1BA$2.28
Monterra Apartments2-Bedroom Apartment - R2BR,1BA$2.30
Morse Landing - USITMorse Landing - USIT - 5062BR,2BA$2.85
City Station1-Bedroom Apartment1BR,1BA$2.80

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Bellingham, Bellingham, WA

Ranked #14

Among cities in Washington for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Downtown Bellingham, Bellingham, WA

School data provided by Great Schools

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Bellingham Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Bellingham?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Bellingham is under $1,475.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Bellingham?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Bellingham is City Station which is listed at $1,540, while the average apartment in Downtown Bellingham costs $4,688.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Bellingham?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 32 regular apartments in Downtown Bellingham that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Downtown Bellingham?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Bellingham have an average cost of $528 which is $4,160 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Bellingham.

Expert Rental Resources

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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

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Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.