salaryBellevue is the 5th-largest city in Washington that we track, with 151,847 residents. Rent is higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 95% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 72.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $108,160 a year. That is $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Washington cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Washington. It is number 167 of 192 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bellevue?
Share of households by yearly income. 62.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bellevue
| Size | Bellevue | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,303 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,470 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,807 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,361 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bellevue overall?
Everyday prices in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area are 11% above the U.S. average (index 111.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bellevue
Life in Bellevue
What jobs pay in Bellevue
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $167,290 | 19.4% |
| Software Developer | $167,280 | 19.4% |
| Lawyer | $164,980 | 19.7% |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | 19.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $160,090 | 20.3% |
| Operations Manager | $146,030 | 22.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | 24.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $133,690 | 24.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | 25.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $116,480 | 27.9% |
| Police Officer | $115,120 | 28.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,920 | 31.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $102,170 | 31.8% |
| Electrician | $101,780 | 31.9% |
| Firefighter | $101,090 | 32.1% |
| Accountant | $99,370 | 32.7% |
| Plumber | $95,230 | 34.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $85,690 | 37.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $80,100 | 40.5% |
| Carpenter | $76,410 | 42.5% |
| Truck Driver | $71,240 | 45.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,500 | 52.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $57,280 | 56.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $53,550 | 60.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $51,990 | 62.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,740 | 68.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,730 | 68.0% |
| Cashier | $44,210 | 73.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $42,080 | 77.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bellevue?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $6,596 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,340,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $134,030 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bellevue, WA?
Renting in Bellevue costs a median of about $2,704 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Washington median is $2,025.
How much do I need to make to live in Bellevue?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $108,160 a year, or $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bellevue cheap or expensive?
Bellevue is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.2% of the typical household income of $178,574. It ranks 167th cheapest of 192 Washington cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bellevue?
The median homeowner in Bellevue pays $9,423 a year in property taxes, about 0.70% of the median home value.
Is Bellevue more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bellevue?
The median home value in Bellevue is $1,340,300, about 7.5 times the typical yearly household income.
151,847 people live in Bellevue. Numbers are typical (middle) values.