Bellevue, WA vs Federal Way, WA

The cost of living difference between Bellevue, WA and Federal Way, WA is dramatic. Federal Way is 60.8% cheaper than Bellevue, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellevue has a cost index of 214 while Federal Way sits at 133, 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 Bellevue is $2,505/month compared to $1,738/month in Federal Way — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Federal Way is more affordable at $499,600 median vs $1,203,100.

Median household income in Bellevue is $161,300 compared to $82,144 in Federal Way (+96.4%). 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 Bellevue spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, less than the 25.4% in Federal Way.

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