Bellevue, WA vs Renton, WA

The cost of living difference between Bellevue, WA and Renton, WA is dramatic. Renton is 43.2% cheaper than Bellevue, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellevue has a cost index of 214 while Renton sits at 150, 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 $1,923/month in Renton — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Renton is more affordable at $631,400 median vs $1,203,100.

Median household income in Bellevue is $161,300 compared to $96,626 in Renton (+66.9%). 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 Bellevue spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Renton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 53.6°F). Bellevue receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 34.7" in Renton.