Bellevue vs St. Paul

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 $47,468 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $118,500 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $260,000. The $1.0M difference in home prices means roughly $67,668 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $1,225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $489/month in St. Paul. St. Paul offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 151 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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