HousingHandbookReference data

U.S. ZIP Code · WA98248

Whatcom County · Bellingham, WA

Typical home value

$620,457[1]

Zillow Home Value Index, as of April 2026

Appreciation

1-year
+0.4%
5-year / yr
+4.4%
10-year / yr
+7.5%

Relative price

vs U.S.
+118.4%
vs metro
+8.1%
vs state
+23.3%
ZIP 98248 location in WA
Location of ZIP 98248 in WA

Price history

Zillow Home Value Index — monthly, smoothed and seasonally adjusted.

The typical home in 98248 is worth $620,457 — 8.1% above the Bellingham, WA median. Over the past year, values have risen 0.4%. Homes here rent for a typical $2,026 a month — a 3.9% gross rental yield. The effective property tax rate is 0.7%.

#Rent & investment

Typical asking rent, and the returns it implies at the current home value.

Monthly rent
$2,026[2]
Gross yield
3.9%[2]
Cap rate
2.4%[2]

#Property tax

Effective rate — total real estate taxes paid relative to total home value.

Effective tax rate
0.7%[3]
Typical annual tax
$4,163[3]

#Climate risk

FEMA National Risk Index ratings for Whatcom County. "Not Applicable" means the hazard does not threaten the county.

Overall risk
Relatively Moderate[4]
Riverine flood
Relatively Moderate
Coastal flood
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Very Low
Drought
Very Low
Heat wave
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Not Applicable
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Winter weather
Relatively Moderate

#Who lives here

Population
28,498[3]
Median household income
$91,060[3]

#Migration

Household moves in and out of Whatcom County over a year, from IRS tax-return data.

Net migration
+582[5]
Moved in
6,485
Moved out
5,903

Schools

Open public schools in this ZIP, from the NCES Common Core of Data.

Public schools
10
Elementary
4
Middle
2
High
2
  • Ferndale High School

    High · Grades 9–12 · Ferndale School District

    1,338 students

  • Vista Middle School

    Middle · Grades 6–8 · Ferndale School District

    536 students

  • Skyline Elementary School

    Elementary · Grades K–5 · Ferndale School District

    493 students

  • Eagleridge Elementary

    Elementary · Grades K–5 · Ferndale School District

    479 students

  • Cascadia Elementary

    Elementary · Grades K–5 · Ferndale School District

    443 students

Run the numbers

Interactive calculators pre-filled with this ZIP's typical home value, rent, and property-tax rate. Edit any field to recompute.

Gross yield3.9%
Net yield (after ~40% expenses)2.4%
Annual rent$24,314

Gross and net yield are estimates based on the inputs and the selected expense ratio. Actual income and expenses will vary by property and market. Not investment advice.

Monthly payment$3,137
Loan principal$496,366
Down payment$124,091
Total interest paid$633,087

Estimated monthly payments include principal and interest only. Actual costs will include property tax, insurance, possibly PMI, and HOA fees not modeled here. Loan terms shown are estimates; consult a licensed lender for current rates and qualification.

Own : rent ratio1.97
Monthly cost to own$4,001
Monthly rent$2,026

Renting is meaningfully cheaper month-to-month.

This calculator projects multi-year scenarios based on assumptions about appreciation, rent growth, and investment returns — none of which are guaranteed. Actual outcomes depend on variables this tool cannot know. Not financial or real estate advice.

#Metro ranking

Where this ZIP sits among others in its metro area.

Appreciation
73rd percentile[1]
Rental yield
71st percentile[2]
Property tax
53rd percentile[3]

Frequently asked

How much is a home worth in ZIP code 98248?
The typical home in 98248 is worth $620,457, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.
Are home values rising in 98248?
Home values in 98248 are up 0.4% over the past year, and up 4.4% a year over five years.
What is the typical rent in 98248?
A typical home in 98248 rents for about $2,026 a month, a gross rental yield of 3.9%.
What is the property tax rate in 98248?
The effective property tax rate in 98248 is 0.7% — roughly $4,163 a year on a typical home.
Who lives in 98248?
ZIP code 98248 has a population of 28,498 and a median household income of $91,060.

#Comparable ZIPs

Same metro, nearest typical home value. Each card shows the comparable ZIP's headline numbers so you can scan at a glance.

  • Lynden, WA

    Typical home
    $624,041
    Gross yield
    3.8%
  • Deming CDP, WA

    Typical home
    $609,523
    Gross yield
    3.8%
  • WA

    Typical home
    $645,985
    Gross yield
  • Bellingham, WA

    Typical home
    $646,844
    Gross yield
    3.8%
  • Custer CDP, WA

    Typical home
    $661,382
    Gross yield
  • Bellingham, WA

    Typical home
    $671,153
    Gross yield
    3.7%

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