Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area vs Bellingham, WA MSA

How do Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area and Bellingham, WA MSA rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.

$2,146
Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area (1BR)
$1,493
Bellingham, WA MSA (1BR)
+44%
1BR difference

Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Metro
Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area
$2,146/mo 1BR
Population: 4,001,701
Metro
Bellingham, WA MSA
$1,493/mo 1BR
Population: 226,523

A 1-bedroom in Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area is 44% more expensive than Bellingham, WA MSA at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($2,146 vs $1,493). Both figures are the 40th percentile of gross rents (utilities included, telephone excluded) set by HUD for the federal fiscal year 2026. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in each area are set between 90% and 110% of these FMR numbers. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents.

How Do Rents Compare By Bedroom?

Bedrooms Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area Bellingham, WA MSA Difference
Studio $2,074 $1,463 +$611 (+42%)
1 Bedroom $2,146 $1,493 +$653 (+44%)
2 Bedroom $2,501 $1,794 +$707 (+39%)
3 Bedroom $3,272 $2,495 +$777 (+31%)
4 Bedroom $3,847 $3,010 +$837 (+28%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area is 124% above the US average. Bellingham, WA MSA is 56% above.

Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).