Bellevue WA vs Louisville KY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellevue
151,199
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 37.7 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 9.8% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 2.2% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 2.6% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $64,731 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $38,890 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $52,606 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 16.1% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 33.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellevue. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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