Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Tacoma?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Tacoma?

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

Bellevue vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 4% higher in Bellevue, NE. 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,178

+7% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,332

+32% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,693

+42% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$2,094

+26% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$454,600

+97% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$83,857

+4% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$72,610

+46% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

37.3 yr

+1.2 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

65.5%

56.5%

+9.0 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

33.5%

+0.1 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

20.8 min

29.0 min

+8.2 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

1,064.4

+956% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

1,149.4

5,695.2

+395% in Tacoma, 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

52.1°F

+1.0°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

43.0 in

+12.4 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

14.9

+10% in Tacoma, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$20.41

+31% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Tacoma?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Tacoma?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).