Income needed to buy a home
Whatcom County, WA
$200,830
a year in household income to buy the typical Whatcom County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$610,710
Down payment (10%)$61,071
Loan$549,639
Principal and interest (7.40%)$3,806/mo
Property tax (0.68% a year)$346/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$305/mo
Mortgage insurance$229/mo
Total monthly cost$4,686/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Out of reach
The typical household here earns $81,784 a year, 41% of what it takes.
In Washington
Whatcom County ranks #35 of 39 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Washington
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Garfield County | $248,270 | $84,099 |
| Columbia County | $272,028 | $90,009 |
| Ferry County | $284,503 | $92,399 |
| Adams County | $307,472 | $101,561 |
| Okanogan County | $313,136 | $102,538 |
Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.