Arlington vs Bellevue
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Bellevue
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 39.2%, with Arlington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $123,438 in Bellevue.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $123,438 in Bellevue.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bellevue equals $45,570 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Bellevue
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Bellevue's 249, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $1.3M. The $1.0M difference in home prices means roughly $67,668 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $2,525/mo in Bellevue, a monthly difference of $1,225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 111 in Bellevue. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $527/month in Bellevue. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 100 in Bellevue. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $400 in Bellevue. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 120 in Bellevue. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $169,200 in Bellevue. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 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 $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $3,948/month in Bellevue. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/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 163 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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