Housing Affordability: Looking North in Whatcom County
🍂 Fall is almost here — a good time to give your home a quick check before the rain, wind and colder weather arrive.
September 11, 2026
Location can make a substantial difference in what a home costs—even within the same county.
In August 2026, the median sales price for residential and condominium properties was $689,999 in Bellingham, compared with $566,975 in Blaine and Birch Bay.
That’s a difference of about $123,000, or nearly 18%.
At current mortgage rates, that price difference can translate into roughly $700+ per month in principal and interest on an illustrative 30-year mortgage with 10% down.
Bellingham remains Whatcom County’s largest population and employment center, and many buyers specifically want the amenities and location it provides. But for buyers who have some flexibility about where they live, expanding the search north can materially change the numbers.
For some households, making a home purchase work may not require increasing the budget. It may mean expanding the map.
Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), August 2026 residential and condominium sales data. Mortgage example is illustrative and excludes taxes, insurance, PMI, HOA dues and other costs. Actual rates and payments vary by borrower.
