Abilene vs Bellevue
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Bellevue
The Verdict
Abilene is 49.4% less expensive than Bellevue overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $148,125 in Bellevue to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $148,125 in Bellevue.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bellevue equals $37,975 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Bellevue
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Bellevue's 249, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $1.3M. The $1.1M difference in home prices means roughly $72,936 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $2,525/mo in Bellevue, a monthly difference of $1,575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 111 in Bellevue. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $527/month in Bellevue. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1140/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 100 in Bellevue. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $400 in Bellevue. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 120 in Bellevue. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $169,200 in Bellevue. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $107,089 respectively. Bellevue residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $3,948/month in Bellevue. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 191 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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