Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA scores 48/100 on safety (well below average). Crime is about 48% above the national average. Research block-level crime data and visit after dark before you commit.

Detail: overall crime index 148 (100 = avg); violent crime index 91; property crime index 204. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Bellingham. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Bellingham is about $1,577/month (moderate). At $1,577/month for a typical unit, you need about $56,772+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $627,500.

Median household income is $66,755, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($66,755) clears the $56,772 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 56°F (highs near 62°F, lows near 49°F).

Cooler months cut into patio season; plan indoor hobbies for part of the year. Heating will show up on winter bills more than AC does in summer. If you visit, go in January. That is when the cold is honest.

Who tends to thrive in Bellingham: (1) Households earning $56,772+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $1,577/month (2) Movers with a locked job offer in Bellingham who already priced rent and commute (3) Buyers comparing mid-size metros who will tour multiple ZIPs before signing (4) People who will visit on a weekday and a weekend before committing (not just a long weekend)

Who should look elsewhere: (1) People with young kids who want to let them roam freely (crime pressure is real here; safety 48/100) (2) Households expecting top marks on rent and safety at once (Bellingham does not clear every bar) (3) People who will not research ZIP-level crime maps before leasing

Income sniff test: clear about $56,772 household income for $1,577/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Bellingham scores 48/100 on safety with $1,577/month typical rent. Run the numbers against your income before committing.