Auburn, WA vs Bellevue, WA

The cost of living difference between Auburn, WA and Bellevue, WA is dramatic. Auburn is 37.8% cheaper than Bellevue, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Auburn has a cost index of 133 while Bellevue sits at 214, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,713/month compared to $2,505/month in Bellevue — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Auburn is more affordable at $510,400 median vs $1,203,100.

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $161,300 in Bellevue (-40.9%). While Bellevue is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.6% in Bellevue.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.2°F). Auburn receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 37.8" in Bellevue.