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Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington Property Taxes

  • Median Bellingham, WA effective property tax rate: 0.89%, slightly lower than the national median of 1.02%, but higher than the Washington state median of 0.88%.

  • Median Bellingham, WA home value: $569,600

  • Median annual Bellingham, WA tax bill: $4,853, $2,453 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Skagit calculated?

Property taxes in Bellingham, WA are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding Bellingham’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Bellingham, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington Property Tax Bill Calculator

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.89%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$5,069

$4,704

SAVE WITH OWNWELL

$1,102

Average Tax Savings

Ownwell’s Bellingham Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Bellingham with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Bellingham’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Skagit. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. The annual process involves each county estimating its required budget to provide services and dividing that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.

Below, you can compare Bellingham’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Washington and the median property tax rates in Washington and the U.S. Bellingham, located in Whatcom County, has a median property tax rate of 0.89%, which is below the national median of 1.02%. This rate is consistent across the city, as seen in the zip code 98229, which holds both the highest and lowest median tax rate in the area. Washington’s overall property tax rate is generally lower than the national average, making it an appealing location for property owners looking to reduce their tax burden compared to other states.

Property Tax Rates Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

Source: Ownwell

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0.70%

0.83%

0.97%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Bellingham Tax Rate

0.89%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Skagit County Tax Rate

0.86%

Median Effective Washington Tax Rate

0.88%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Rate75th Percentile90th Percentile
982290.83%0.87%0.89%0.90%0.92%
98226N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

When examining property taxes in Bellingham, WA, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Skagit County Assessor's Office estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.

In Skagit County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Bellingham.

For example, the median home price in Bellingham is $569,600, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. The zip code 98229 has the highest median home price at $569,200.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

Source: Ownwell

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$126,700

$403,750

$680,800

Median Bellingham Market Value

$569,600

Median Skagit County Market Value

$473,200

Median Washington Market Value

$482,000

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Home Price75th Percentile90th Percentile
98229$279,900$395,700$569,200$751,600$1,023,600
98226N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

In Bellingham, WA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local assessor's office. This assessed value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. Homeowners in Bellingham experience property tax bills that vary widely; the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,210, while those in the 75th percentile see bills as high as $6,554. The median home price in Bellingham is $569,600, which influences these tax calculations. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Bellingham’s tax bills are significantly higher. This can place a financial burden on homeowners, especially those in the 90th percentile who face bills of $8,611. Ownwell can assist homeowners by offering property tax appeal services, potentially reducing their tax burden. By analyzing the assessed value and ensuring it aligns with current market conditions, Ownwell helps homeowners achieve fairer tax bills, providing substantial savings and financial relief.

Property Tax Bills Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

Source: Ownwell

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$885

$3,253

$5,620

Median Bellingham Tax Bill

$4,853

Median Skagit County Tax Bill

$4,058

Median Washington Tax Bill

$4,284

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington

Zip10th Percentile25th PercentileMedian Tax Bill75th Percentile90th Percentile
98229$1,716$3,201$4,851$6,549$8,615
98226N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Source: Ownwell

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