City Comparison

Bellevue vs El Paso

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

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

El Paso

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$185,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$47,568
Median Income

The Verdict

85.9%

Living in El Paso costs 85.9% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bellevue, you would need $40,348 in El Paso.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Bellevue
69
El Paso
Groceries
111
Bellevue
95
El Paso
Utilities
100
Bellevue
93
El Paso
Transportation
134
Bellevue
98
El Paso
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
89
El Paso

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $40,348 in El Paso.

Conversely, $75,000 in El Paso equals $139,412 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs El Paso

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher El Paso's 69, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $185,000. The $1.1M difference in home prices means roughly $72,540 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 El Paso, a monthly difference of $1,525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 95 in El Paso. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $451/month in El Paso. El Paso 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 93 in El Paso. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $372 in El Paso. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 89 in El Paso. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $47,568 in El Paso. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $55,962 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 $1,110/month in El Paso. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In El Paso, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 180 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso is 85.9% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $40,348 in El Paso, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while El Paso's is 69 with median homes at $185,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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