Bellevue WA vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellevue
151,199
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 19.9% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 2.2% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 17.2% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 8.2% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Seattle
$82,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Seattle
$76,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Seattle
67.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $121,984 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $82,508 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.2% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 9.9% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 67.5% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 44.3% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Seattle
383
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Seattle
3409
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Seattle, 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 +
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 22.2% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.3% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 6.1% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.0% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 6.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Seattle, 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
Bellevue +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 28.8 min | Bellevue + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle 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 Seattle 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bellevue, WA vs New York, NYBellevue, WA vs Los Angeles, CABellevue, WA vs Chicago, ILBellevue, WA vs Houston, TXBellevue, WA vs Phoenix, AZBellevue, WA vs Philadelphia, PA