Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Dover?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $42,000 in Dover.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Dover?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Dover Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dover, DE, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $58,336 in Dover, DE — about 33% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Dover, DE

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$993

+10% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,047

+4% in Dover, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,185

+0% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,634

+2% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$248,500

+8% in Dover, DE

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$58,336

+33% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$46,690

+6% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.1 yr

+1.0 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

47.0%

+18.5 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

27.1%

+6.3 pp in Bellevue, NE

Avg Commute

20.8 min

24.0 min

+3.2 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

1,025.3

+917% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

1,149.4

6,159.1

+436% in Dover, DE

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

56.9°F

+5.8°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

46.0 in

+15.4 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Dover, DE

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.3

19.3

+46% in Dover, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$29.73

+48% in Dover, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Dover, DE

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / DE)

5.5%

None

+5.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

6.60%

+2.0 pp in DE

Bellevue vs Dover — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Dover?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Dover?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $42,000 in Dover.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Dover?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).