Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Richmond?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $48,000 in Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Richmond?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 28% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,183

+7% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,195

+19% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,374

+15% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,447

+13% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$328,100

+42% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$62,671

+28% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$51,460

+4% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

34.5 yr

+1.6 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

43.5%

+22.0 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

44.1%

+10.7 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

20.8 min

22.1 min

+1.3 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

349

+246% in Richmond, VA

Property Crime

1,149.4

3,240.2

+182% in Richmond, VA

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

58.9°F

+7.8°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

43.6 in

+13.0 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Bellevue, NE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

17.6

+30% in Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$23.66

+52% in Richmond, VA

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 Richmond, VA

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 / VA)

5.5%

5.3%

+0.2 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

5.75%

+1.2 pp in VA

Bellevue vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Richmond?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Richmond?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Richmond?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).