Bellevue, WA vs Richland, WA

The cost of living difference between Bellevue, WA and Richland, WA is dramatic. Richland is 94.8% cheaper than Bellevue, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellevue has a cost index of 214 while Richland sits at 110, 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 $1,397/month in Richland — a 79% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Richland is more affordable at $401,800 median vs $1,203,100.

Median household income in Bellevue is $161,300 compared to $92,550 in Richland (+74.3%). The higher salaries in Bellevue partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellevue spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.1% in Richland.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 53.3°F). Bellevue receives more rainfall at 37.8" per year compared to 7.6" in Richland.