Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Cambridge, MA (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Cambridge

Massachusetts
239

Bellevue is 5% more expensive than Cambridge.

$2,505/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$2,742/mo ↑ 9%
$161,300/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$126,469/yr ↓ 22%
$1,203,100 ↑ 16%
Home Value
$1,040,500 ↓ 14%
$2,586/mo ↓ 2%
Owner Costs
$2,634/mo ↑ 2%
151,199
Population
117,794

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.92%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Cambridge, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 239 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $237/month cheaper in Bellevue, saving renters about $2,844/year.

Median household income is $34,831/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $1,040,500 in Cambridge.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Cambridge — common questions

Is Bellevue or Cambridge cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cambridge is cheaper to live in with an index of 239 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Cambridge?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Cambridge it's $2,742/month — a difference of $237/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Cambridge?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $126,469 in Cambridge. Median household income is $34,831/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Massachusetts?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Cambridge?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Cambridge has a cost index of 239 with rent of $2,742/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Cambridge details →

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