Skyline of Bellevue
Cost of Living: 170 150,000

Bellevue, WA, US

Eastside tech hub with Microsoft, T-Mobile, and a stunning downtown waterfront park.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 170

Very High vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 210

Very Expensive

Median Income $110,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.5%

Job market health

Bellevue vs US Average

Cost of Living
Bellevue: 170
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bellevue: 210
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $110,000
  • Unemployment: 2.5%
  • Population: 150,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 155/year
  • Summer High: 78°F
  • Winter Low: 37°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $1,200,000
  • 1BR Rent: $2500/mo

Cost of Living

Bellevue's cost of living index is 170 (US average = 100).

CategoryBellevueNational AverageDifference
Overall170100+70.0%
Housing210100+110.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$1,200,000
Median Rent (1BR)$2500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$3,125/mo
Price per Sq Ft$800

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Bellevue:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$91Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$48Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$60Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$35Private service
Total Utilities$304Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Bellevue scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
170
Rent
$2500
Sunny Days
155
Tax
None
Unemployment
2.5%
Climate
78°F / 37°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
150,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Bellevue has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January57°F37°F2.5"
April63°F52°F2.8"
July78°F53°F1.5"
October58°F55°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Bellevue faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Cascadia subduction zone with major earthquake risk.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous and coastal regions with landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Cascade Range with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.94% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

Schools & Education

92/100
School Quality Score
Better than 88% of US cities
?
31
Total Schools
4.6:1
Student:Teacher
79.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bellevue, WA, US?

The cost of living index in Bellevue is 170, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bellevue?

The median home price in Bellevue is $1,200,000. The housing index is 210.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bellevue is approximately $2500/mo.

Does Bellevue, WA have income tax?

Bellevue is in WA, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Bellevue?

Bellevue enjoys approximately 155 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 78°F, while winter lows can drop to around 37°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.