BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The results of a new study that compared income to home prices across the country are not favorable to some local jurisdictions.
Bellingham has ranked fourth as one of the least affordable cities in the country.
It takes the number one spot in the small city category as well.
This is all according to Construction Coverage, an expert guide website for construction companies.
Construction Coverage crunched the numbers based off Zillow’s Home Value Index and a 2023 survey of American communities from the US Census Bureau.
Bellingham’s ratio places it among the ranks of southern California cities, with its nearest Washington competitor, Bellevue, at number 28. Washington state ranks fifth overall as least affordable.
Mayor Kim Lund issued an executive order last November to increase housing opportunities in the city, focusing on middle housing and developing denser population areas to combat the lack of inventory.
My Bellingham Now previously reported on efforts to make good on that order, including removing parking minimums and building incentives for affordable housing.