City Comparison

Bellevue vs Dublin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

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

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

The Verdict

51.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 51.9%, with Dublin being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $49,367 in Dublin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Bellevue
128
Dublin
Groceries
111
Bellevue
95
Dublin
Utilities
100
Bellevue
110
Dublin
Transportation
134
Bellevue
108
Dublin
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
82
Dublin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $49,367 in Dublin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $113,942 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Dublin

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $470,000. The $831,000 difference in home prices means roughly $54,012 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $451/month in Dublin. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $440 in Dublin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 82 in Dublin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $53,846 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 $1,307/month in Dublin. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 121 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin is 51.9% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,367 in Dublin, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Dublin's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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