Whatcom County, Washington Housing Market
In Whatcom County, Washington, the median home value is $585,800, with a median monthly rent of $1,555. This places Whatcom County at #90 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #5 within Washington.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,291
- Establishments: 7,294
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 607
- Multi-family: 607
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 97,574 (avg $99,830)
- Outflow: 92,973 (avg $99,544)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 10 active ZIP codes in Whatcom County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 98240 | 309.4 | -17.97% | 2025 |
| 2 | 98244 | 413.7 | +8.77% | 2025 |
| 3 | 98281 | 386.6 | +5.52% | 2025 |
| 4 | 98230 | 422.3 | +13.98% | 2025 |
| 5 | 98295 | 323.9 | +6.70% | 2025 |
| 6 | 98247 | 363.1 | +2.18% | 2025 |
| 7 | 98225 | 473.6 | +0.25% | 2025 |
| 8 | 98264 | 369.5 | +1.57% | 2025 |
| 9 | 98226 | 406.2 | +3.10% | 2025 |
| 10 | 98276 | 324.1 | — | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Whatcom County Compares
| Metric | Whatcom County | Washington Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $585,800 | $436,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,555 | $1,251 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 63.7% | 71.3% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 31.4 | 29.2 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Whatcom County is 34.3% above the Washington state average and 157.3% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,555/month is 24.3% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 31.4, Whatcom County is a strongly rent-favored market. Home prices are high relative to rents, meaning renting is typically far cheaper than owning in the near term.
Whatcom County has an owner-occupancy rate of 63.7%, compared to 71.3% in Washington and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | Oregon | $588,000 | $1,849 |
| Morris County | New Jersey | $582,500 | $1,904 |
| La Plata County | Colorado | $591,500 | $1,504 |
| Suffolk County | New York | $578,400 | $2,255 |
| Island County | Washington | $593,300 | $1,662 |
Other Counties in Washington
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island County | $593,300 | $1,662 | 74.7% |
| Kitsap County | $555,100 | $1,822 | 70.1% |
| Skagit County | $545,100 | $1,536 | 70.1% |
| Jefferson County | $535,000 | $1,522 | 79.0% |
| Skamania County | $529,500 | $1,068 | 80.0% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).