Bellevue vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Tacoma
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 35.0%, with Tacoma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $55,538 in Tacoma.
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 $55,538 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $101,282 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $400,000. The $901,000 difference in home prices means roughly $58,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $925.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $499/month in Tacoma. Tacoma offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $432 in Tacoma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 106 in Tacoma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $50,405 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 $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 109 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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