Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Seattle?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Seattle?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 28% higher in Seattle, WA. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,638

+48% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,858

+84% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$2,359

+98% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$2,918

+76% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$912,100

+295% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$121,984

+40% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$72,610

+46% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.5 yr

+0.6 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

44.2%

+21.3 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

67.5%

+34.1 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

20.8 min

26.6 min

+5.8 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

788.6

+682% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

1,149.4

5,108.8

+344% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+2.4°F in Seattle, WA

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

37.7 in

+7.1 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.31/gal

+35% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

14.9

+10% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$20.41

+31% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / WA)

5.5%

6.5%

+1.0 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

None

+4.5 pp in NE

Bellevue vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Seattle?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Seattle?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).