Bellevue WA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Bellevue +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Renton
39.2%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 75,721 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 45.0% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 2.2% | Bellevue + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 39.2% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 6.8% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Renton
$89,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Renton
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $89,026 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.1% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $765,686 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 45.2% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Renton
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Renton
3409
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 383 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3409 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Renton
8.9%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 24.0% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.5% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.0% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 9.1% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 8.9% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellevue. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Renton 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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