Bellevue vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Kent
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.3%, with Kent being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $65,032 in Kent.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $65,032 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $86,496 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Kent
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $595,000. The $706,000 difference in home prices means roughly $45,888 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $775.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $518/month in Kent. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $71,752 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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