Bellevue, WA vs Tacoma, WA

The cost of living difference between Bellevue, WA and Tacoma, WA is dramatic. Tacoma is 71% cheaper than Bellevue, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bellevue has a cost index of 214 while Tacoma sits at 125, 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 $1,597/month in Tacoma — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tacoma is more affordable at $454,600 median vs $1,203,100.

Median household income in Bellevue is $161,300 compared to $83,857 in Tacoma (+92.4%). 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 22.9% in Tacoma.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 51.9°F). Tacoma receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 37.8" in Bellevue.