City Comparison

Bellevue vs Casper

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Casper

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$70,200
Median Income

The Verdict

66.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 66.3%, with Casper being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $45,095 in Casper.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Bellevue
82
Casper
Groceries
111
Bellevue
96
Casper
Utilities
100
Bellevue
96
Casper
Transportation
134
Bellevue
85
Casper
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
103
Casper

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $45,095 in Casper.

Conversely, $75,000 in Casper equals $124,737 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Casper

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Casper's 82, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $265,000. The $1.0M difference in home prices means roughly $67,344 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,000/mo in Casper, a monthly difference of $1,525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 96 in Casper. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $456/month in Casper. Casper offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 96 in Casper. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $384 in Casper. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 103 in Casper. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $70,200 in Casper. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $73,895 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,638/month in Casper. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 167 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Casper is 66.3% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,095 in Casper, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Casper's is 82 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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