salaryCan a civil engineer afford Bellevue?
OK. Rent of $2,704 a month takes 27.9% of the median civil engineer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
A monthly budget on a civil engineer salary
That leaves plenty of room for taxes, food and savings. The typical household in Bellevue earns $178,574 a year, more than this job pays, so civil engineers earn below the local middle.
Which apartment fits the budget?
| Size | Typical rent | Share of pay | Under 30%? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,303 | 23.7% | ✓ Yes |
| 1 bedroom | $2,470 | 25.4% | ✓ Yes |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,807 | 28.9% | ✓ Yes |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,361 | 34.6% | ✗ No |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | 36.1% | ✗ No |
How Bellevue ranks for civil engineers
Out of 251 large U.S. cities, Bellevue is 18th for civil engineer pay and 214th for how far that pay goes after rent. Pay here is 17% above the typical big-city civil engineer salary of $99,410.
Civil Engineer pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Bellevue
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Bellevue, WA?
The median pay for a civil engineer in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area is $116,480 a year ($56 an hour). Most earn between $82,140 and $161,760.
Can a civil engineer afford to live in Bellevue?
Typical rent of $2,704 a month takes 27.9% of the median civil engineer salary, which we rate OK.
What size apartment can a civil engineer afford in Bellevue?
On the median salary, a civil engineer can rent up to a typical 2 bedrooms apartment ($2,807/month) while keeping rent under 30% of pay.
Is Bellevue a good city for civil engineers?
Bellevue ranks 18th for civil engineer pay and 214th for affordability among 251 large U.S. cities we compare.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area.