Austin TX vs Bellevue WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Bellevue
151,199
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Bellevue
38.3
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Bellevue
45.0%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Bellevue
2.2%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Bellevue
8.5%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 151,199 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.3 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 42.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 59.9% | 45.0% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 2.2% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 41.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 8.5% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $161,300 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $92,441 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 7.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 71.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $1,527,243 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 51.9% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Bellevue
3409
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 18.8% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 6.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 12.5% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 5.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.6% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Bellevue
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Bellevue
25.6 min
Bellevue +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.6 min | Bellevue + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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