Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Athens, GA (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Bellevue is 201% more expensive than Athens.

$2,505/mo ↑ 116%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 54%
$161,300/yr ↑ 212%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 68%
$1,203,100 ↑ 343%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 77%
$2,586/mo ↑ 122%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 55%
151,199
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,343/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $16,116/year.

Median household income is $109,645/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Athens — common questions

Is Bellevue or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Athens?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $1,343/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Athens?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $109,645/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Georgia?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Athens details →

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