City Comparison

Bellevue vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

79.5%

Living in Vienna costs 79.5% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bellevue, you would need $41,772 in Vienna.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Bellevue
105
Vienna
Groceries
111
Bellevue
85
Vienna
Utilities
100
Bellevue
98
Vienna
Transportation
134
Bellevue
102
Vienna
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $41,772 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $134,659 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $395,000. The $906,000 difference in home prices means roughly $58,896 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $1,250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1476/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 82 in Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 144 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna is 79.5% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $41,772 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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