Not enough rental comps in this area to determine how FMR aligns with current market rates.
Historical
FY 2023-2027
FMR
FY2027
Property value
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Tax rate
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Mortgage rate
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ZIP 98228 fair market rent, FY 2027
For FY 2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 98228 (Bellingham, WA) is $1,870 a month. That is up 4.5% from $1,790 in FY 2026. Bellingham is in the Bellingham, WA MSA. HUD also publishes the ZIP-level Small Area FMRs shown here, but unless the local housing authority has adopted them, vouchers are based on the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR of $1,872. Among 21 ZIP codes in Whatcom County, 98228 is tied for the 7th-highest two-bedroom rent (county range $1,620–$2,030). The median county two-bedroom FMR in Washington is $1,467, so ZIP 98228 is 27% above it.
FY 2027 rent by bedroom
FY 2027 fair market rent by bedroom for 98228
Bedrooms
FY 2026
FY 2027
Change
90–110% range
Studio
$1,460
$1,490
+2.1%
$1,341–$1,639
1BR
$1,490
$1,530
+2.7%
$1,377–$1,683
2BR
$1,790
$1,870
+4.5%
$1,683–$2,057
3BR
$2,490
$2,540
+2.0%
$2,286–$2,794
4BR
$3,000
$3,130
+4.3%
$2,817–$3,443
Fair market rent history, FY 2023–2027
Fair market rent by fiscal year for 98228
Fiscal year
Studio
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
FY 2027
$1,490
$1,530
$1,870
$2,540
$3,130
FY 2026
$1,460
$1,490
$1,790
$2,490
$3,000
FY 2025
$1,350
$1,380
$1,640
$2,300
$2,750
FY 2024
$1,250
$1,300
$1,570
$2,210
$2,660
FY 2023
$1,040
$1,110
$1,360
$1,930
$2,320
Two-bedroom rent in nearby Whatcom County ZIP codes
How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in ZIP 98228?
Housing authorities set voucher payment standards, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR. With the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR of $1,872, which applies unless the housing authority uses Small Area FMRs, that basic range is $1,685 to $2,059 a month; under the ZIP-level Small Area FMR of $1,870 it would be $1,683 to $2,057. The voucher pays the lower of the payment standard or the gross rent, minus the tenant's share, which is usually about 30% of adjusted monthly income. Confirm the local housing authority's current schedule before underwriting.
Which HUD fair market rent area is ZIP 98228 in?
ZIP 98228 is in the Bellingham, WA MSA. Small Area FMRs are optional here; the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR is $1,872.
How much did fair market rent change in ZIP 98228 for FY 2027?
The two-bedroom FMR rose 4.5%, from $1,790 in FY 2026 to $1,870 in FY 2027. Since FY 2023 it has risen 37.5%.
When do FY 2027 fair market rents take effect?
HUD's FY 2027 fair market rents took effect on October 1, 2026. When FMRs change, housing authorities generally have up to three months to bring payment standards back within 90% to 110% of the new FMR.
Source: HUD FY 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents and area FMRs. Payment-standard ranges are 90% to 110% of FMR, HUD's basic range, not a housing authority's published schedule. How payment standards are set