Bellevue WA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellevue
151,199
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Washington
13.3%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Bellevue +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 13.3% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 39.1% | Bellevue + |
| Black | 2.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 4.1% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $106,287 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $75,253 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.5% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 14.5% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 63.6% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 41.1% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 24.6% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 7.8% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.6% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 6.7% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 24.0% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 9.7% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Bellevue +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 32.8 min | Bellevue + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. 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, 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