Whatcom County Transfer Tax
Whatcom County charges 0.5% of the purchase price on top of the Washington state tax (marginal brackets: 1.1% up to $525,000, 1.28% from $525,000 to $1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000 to $3,025,000, 3% above $3,025,000). On a $644,300 home that is $10,524 in total. Whatcom County unincorporated and every incorporated city in Whatcom County (Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, Sumas) (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
Whatcom County transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | Whatcom County | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,650 | $750 | $2,400 |
| $200,000 | $2,200 | $1,000 | $3,200 |
| $250,000 | $2,750 | $1,250 | $4,000 |
| $300,000 | $3,300 | $1,500 | $4,800 |
| $350,000 | $3,850 | $1,750 | $5,600 |
| $400,000 | $4,400 | $2,000 | $6,400 |
| $450,000 | $4,950 | $2,250 | $7,200 |
| $500,000 | $5,500 | $2,500 | $8,000 |
| $600,000 | $6,735 | $3,000 | $9,735 |
| $700,000 | $8,015 | $3,500 | $11,515 |
| $800,000 | $9,295 | $4,000 | $13,295 |
| $1,000,000 | $11,855 | $5,000 | $16,855 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
Seller. Whatcom County unincorporated and every incorporated city in Whatcom County (Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, Sumas) (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County charges 0.5% of the purchase price, on top of the Washington state tax, so a $644,300 home pays $10,524 in total ($7,302 state, $3,222 local).
Who pays the Whatcom County transfer tax?
Seller. Whatcom County unincorporated and every incorporated city in Whatcom County (Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, Sumas) (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
Sources
- Washington Department of Revenue, Real Estate Excise Tax (REET), graduated state rates
- Who pays
- Washington Department of Revenue, Local Real Estate Excise Tax Rates, effective January 1, 2026 (confirmed by direct fetch: Whatcom County Unincorp. and all 7 incorporated cities listed at 0.50%)
Rates as the statute or revenue department publishes them, checked 2026-09-22. Figures are computed from those rates and rounded to the dollar; exemptions for first-time buyers or principal residences are noted where they exist and are not applied. All sources.
Washington transfer tax overview → All Washington buyer closing costs →
Figures are computed from the statutes and ordinances cited above and rounded to the dollar. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Washington transfer tax