Bellevue WA vs San Francisco CA — 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellevue
151,199
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
34.2%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
35.0%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 39.7 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 34.2% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 40.5% | Bellevue + |
| Black | 2.2% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 35.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
San Francisco
$141,446
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
San Francisco
$90,285
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
60.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $141,446 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $90,285 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.6% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 10.6% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 60.1% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
San Francisco
$1,369,171
San Francisco +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $1,369,171 | San Francisco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 38.5% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 9.7% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.5% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 6.6% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.6% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 9.1% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Bellevue +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 33.9 min | Bellevue + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while san Francisco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,369,171. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. 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, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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