City · 16,234 residents · Whatcom County, Washington
Lynden, Washington
In Lynden, a typical home is worth $596,600 and typical rent is $1,707 a month. Compared with all of Whatcom County, typical household income is 26% higher and typical rent is 10% higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $528,772 to $619,995.
Typical rent
$1,971a month
▲ 1.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2022 to September 2026: from $1,795 to $1,971.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Lynden is in Whatcom County. The FHA loan limit ($664,700 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Whatcom County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Birch Bay, the typical rent is $1,222: 28% less than in Lynden ($1,707).
2
The typical household income in Lynden is $103,233,26% more than in Whatcom County as a whole ($81,784).
3
Nearby, in Birch Bay, the typical home value is $477,200: 20% less than in Lynden ($596,600).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Lynden
What homes there are in Lynden, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Lynden
Whatcom County
Washington
United States
Kind of home: Lynden and its comparisons
Measure
Lynden
Whatcom County
Washington
United States
Detached house
66%
63%
62%
61%
Attached house
6%
4%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
13%
7%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
13%
20%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
6%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is the most common home in Lynden: 66% of homes, near the figure in Whatcom County (63%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Lynden
Whatcom County
Washington
United States
Year built: Lynden and its comparisons
Measure
Lynden
Whatcom County
Washington
United States
Before 1960
15%
18%
21%
26%
1960–1979
14%
22%
23%
24%
1980–1999
27%
28%
27%
25%
2000–2009
18%
18%
15%
14%
2010 or later
26%
15%
14%
11%
Homes in Lynden are newer: the typical year built is 1997; in Whatcom County, 1989.
In Lynden, 68% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, more than in Whatcom County (59%).
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500K25%
$500K–$750K51%
$750K–$1M17%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Lynden and its comparisons
Measure
Lynden
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
25%
$500K–$750K
51%
$750K–$1M
17%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49923%
$1,500–$1,99935%
$2,000–$2,49926%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Lynden and its comparisons
Measure
Lynden
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
23%
$1,500–$1,999
35%
$2,000–$2,499
26%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$2,490 a month
Whatcom County: $2,307 a month
Without a mortgage
$663 a month
Whatcom County: $735 a month
Owners with a mortgage
68%
Whatcom County: 63%
In Lynden, 68% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $2,490 a month, against $2,307 in Whatcom County. Without one it drops to $663.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Lynden+71%
Whatcom County+70%
Washington+67%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Lynden+41%
Whatcom County+47%
Washington+40%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Lynden+56%
Whatcom County+30%
Washington+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Lynden and its comparisons
Measure
Lynden
Whatcom County
Washington
United States
Typical home value
+71%
+70%
+67%
+53%
Typical rent
+41%
+47%
+40%
+33%
Typical household income
+56%
+30%
+33%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Lynden rose at about the same pace as in Whatcom County: 71% against 70%.
Rents in Lynden rose more slowly than in Whatcom County: 41% since 2015–2019, against 47%.
The typical household income in Lynden rose 56% over that time; home values changed +71% and rent +41%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Lynden and its comparisons
Measure
Lynden
Whatcom County
Washington
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.6%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
3.7%
3.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.67
2.40
2.50
2.53
Drive alone
76%
69%
63%
69%
Carpool
6%
8%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
6%
4%
3%
Work from home
13%
15%
20%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More people live in each home here: 2.67 on average, against 2.40 in Whatcom County.
In Lynden, 76% of workers drive alone to work; in Whatcom County, 69%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Lynden?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Lynden, worth $596,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 56% of the typical household income in Lynden, which is $103,233 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $205,459 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Whatcom County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Lynden. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $20,881 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$4,794
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$585,794
Total interest
$842,820
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $10,075 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,409 a month
Tight
$2,409 to $3,097 a month
Hard
more than $3,097 a month
Your payment · 56%
Compared with the typical household income in Lynden ($103,233 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$3,968
Property tax
$313
Home insurance
$249
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$264
You need at least $20,881 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $4,794; principal and interest $3,968.
The city and its county
Lynden and Whatcom County
Lynden is in Whatcom County, Washington. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Lynden
Map of Whatcom County, Washington, with Lynden marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Lynden
Whatcom County
Other cities with a page
Lynden's own numbers
Typical home value
$596,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,707
Typical yearly household income
$103,233
Households that own their home
66%
Effective property tax rate
0.63%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Whatcom County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$664,700
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,872
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+50%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
5.1%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Whatcom County.
A typical home in Lynden is worth $596,600: about the same as the county and 6% above Washington. With the typical household income in Lynden ($103,233 a year), a typical home costs 5.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Lynden5.8 years
Whatcom7.2 years
Washington5.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Whatcom County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Whatcom County rose 121% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Whatcom County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Whatcom County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +7.5% +7.5% 2016
2017: +11.1% +11.1% 2017
2018: +9.5% +9.5% 2018
2019: +7.4% +7.4% 2019
2020: +4.8% +4.8% 2020
2021: +14.6% +14.6% 2021
2022: +18.0% +18.0% 2022
2023: +1.0% +1.0% 2023
2024: +7.5% +7.5% 2024
2025: +2.1% +2.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Whatcom County, Washington and the United States
Period
County
Washington
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.1%
+1.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+50%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+121%
+113%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Lynden next to Whatcom County, Washington and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Lynden$596,600
Whatcom$585,800
Washington$564,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Lynden$1,707
Whatcom$1,555
Washington$1,760
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Lynden$103,233
Whatcom$81,784
Washington$98,141
United States$80,734
See the full table
Lynden next to Whatcom County and Washington
Measure
Lynden
Whatcom County
Washington
U.S.
Typical home value
$596,600
$585,800
$564,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,707 ▲10% above the county
$1,555
$1,760
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$103,233 ▲26% above the county
$81,784
$98,141
$80,734
Households that own their home
66% ▲2 points above the county
64%
64%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,756 ▼8% below the county
$4,087
$4,556
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.63% ▼0.07 points below the county
0.7%
0.81%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
50% ▼10 points below the county
60%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Whatcom County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lynden
For a typical $596,600 home in Lynden, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Lynden's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$4,794a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$20,881
Cash to close
$38,779
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $264
Conventional, 5% down$4,685a month
Down payment
$29,830
Cash to close
$47,728
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $283
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,795a month
Down payment
$119,320
Cash to close
$137,218
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$4,347a month
Down payment
$89,490
Cash to close
$107,388
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lynden
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$4,794
$20,881
$585,794
7.18%
FHA MIP · $264
$38,779
580
Conventional, 5% down
$4,685
$29,830
$566,770
7.18%
PMI · $283
$47,728
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,795
$119,320
$477,280
7.18%
None
$137,218
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$4,347
$89,490
$507,110
8.18%
None
$107,388
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Lynden is $1,707 a month: 10% above the county. In Lynden, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Whatcom County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,872 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $36.00 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Whatcom County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,489
$28.63
$59,560
1 bedroom
$1,529
$29.40
$61,160
2 bedrooms
$1,872
$36.00
$74,880
3 bedrooms
$2,545
$48.94
$101,800
4 bedrooms
$3,129
$60.17
$125,160
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Lynden
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Lynden is in ZIP code 98264.
For 2 bedrooms it is $2,000: $128 more than the fair market rent for Whatcom County ($1,872).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Lynden, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
98264
$1,590
$1,630
$2,000
$2,720
$3,340
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
98264 $2,000$2,720
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Lynden when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists one building with rents for lower incomes in Lynden.
River House Apartments100 Riverview Rd, Lynden 9826450 low-income homes · 1 bd: 42 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 1999 · For older adults, people with disabilities
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Whatcom County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Lynden or Whatcom County. The ones below are statewide in Washington: they work in Lynden the same as in the rest of the state.
Washington state commission 0% second mortgage for 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, with no monthly payments; you do not need to be a first-time buyer.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan with no monthly payments of up to 20% of the price (maximum $150,000) plus closing costs, for first-time buyers whose family lived in Washington before 1968 and belonged to a group affected by housing discrimination, including Hispanic people.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan of up to $15,000 at 1% simple interest, with no monthly payments, for the down payment and closing costs of first-time buyers with the House Key Opportunity mortgage.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
No legal help resource on our list is for Lynden or Whatcom County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Lynden and all of Whatcom County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Lynden?
The typical home value in Lynden is $596,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Whatcom County it is $585,800.
How much does it cost to rent in Lynden?
Typical rent in Lynden is $1,707 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Whatcom County is $1,872.
What is the FHA loan limit in Lynden?
Lynden uses the FHA limit for all of Whatcom County (2026): $664,700 for a one-unit home and $1,278,300 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Lynden?
The typical homeowner in Lynden pays $3,756 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.63% of the home’s value; in Whatcom County, the rate is 0.7%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Lynden?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Whatcom County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
