City Comparison

Bellevue vs Jacksonville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

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

Jacksonville

Florida
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$53,025
Median Income

The Verdict

66.3%

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

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Bellevue
89
Jacksonville
Groceries
111
Bellevue
101
Jacksonville
Utilities
100
Bellevue
94
Jacksonville
Transportation
134
Bellevue
103
Jacksonville
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
95
Jacksonville

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Bellevue vs Jacksonville

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Jacksonville's 89, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $280,000. The $1.0M difference in home prices means roughly $66,360 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,400/mo in Jacksonville, a monthly difference of $1,125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 101 in Jacksonville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $480/month in Jacksonville. Jacksonville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 94 in Jacksonville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $376 in Jacksonville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 95 in Jacksonville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $53,025 in Jacksonville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $55,816 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 $1,237/month in Jacksonville. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Jacksonville, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 160 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Jacksonville's is 89 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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