Bellevue WA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellevue
151,199
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 19.0% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 2.2% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 3.9% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $77,041 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $40,309 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.1% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 14.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 32.3% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 32.3% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.8% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.2% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 17.3% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 12.2% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Bellevue +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 27.7 min | Bellevue + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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