Bellevue vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Stockholm
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 62.9%, with Stockholm being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $46,044 in Stockholm.
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 $46,044 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $122,165 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $445,000. The $856,000 difference in home prices means roughly $55,644 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 Stockholm, a monthly difference of $1,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1080/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $352 in Stockholm. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $51,546 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 $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 131 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases