Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Casper?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Casper?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bellevue, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 21% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$730

+34% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$764

+24% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$930

+22% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,299

+22% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$250,700

+9% in Casper, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$69,171

+21% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$48,880

+2% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

37.0 yr

+0.9 yr in Casper, WY

Homeownership

65.5%

70.3%

+4.8 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

30.0%

+3.4 pp in Bellevue, NE

Avg Commute

20.8 min

16.9 min

+3.9 min in Bellevue, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

302.4

+200% in Casper, WY

Property Crime

1,149.4

2,123.8

+85% in Casper, WY

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

45.4°F

+5.7°F in Bellevue, NE

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

12.5 in

+18.1 in in Bellevue, NE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Casper, WY

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.3

15.2

+15% in Casper, WY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$18.28

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Casper, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Casper, WY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Casper, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Casper, WY

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / WY)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

None

+4.5 pp in NE

Bellevue vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Casper?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).