Bellevue vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Raleigh
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 54.9%, with Raleigh being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $48,418 in Raleigh.
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 $48,418 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $116,176 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Raleigh
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $370,000. The $931,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $1,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $475/month in Raleigh. Raleigh offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $376 in Raleigh. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $65,947 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 $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 142 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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