Bellevue, WA vs Olympia, WA

The cost of living difference between Bellevue, WA and Olympia, WA is dramatic. Olympia is 77.6% cheaper than Bellevue, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellevue has a cost index of 214 while Olympia sits at 121, 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 $1,509/month in Olympia — a 66% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Olympia is more affordable at $457,900 median vs $1,203,100.

Median household income in Bellevue is $161,300 compared to $76,930 in Olympia (+109.7%). 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 23.5% in Olympia.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 50.5°F). Olympia receives more rainfall at 50.6" per year compared to 37.8" in Bellevue.