Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Bellevue and Berkeley have a similar cost of living.

$2,505/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↓ 15%
$161,300/yr ↑ 49%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↓ 33%
$1,203,100 ↓ 11%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 12%
$2,586/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↓ 10%
151,199
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $378/month cheaper in Berkeley, saving renters about $4,536/year.

Median household income is $52,742/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Bellevue or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Bellevue is cheaper to live in with an index of 250 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Berkeley?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $378/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Berkeley?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $52,742/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and California?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Berkeley details →

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