Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Olathe, KS (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Olathe

Kansas
104

Bellevue is 140% more expensive than Olathe.

$2,505/mo ↑ 91%
Median Rent
$1,314/mo ↓ 48%
$161,300/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$112,232/yr ↓ 30%
$1,203,100 ↑ 253%
Home Value
$340,600 ↓ 72%
$2,586/mo ↑ 56%
Owner Costs
$1,662/mo ↓ 36%
151,199
Population
143,720

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.92%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
14.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Olathe, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,191/month cheaper in Olathe, saving renters about $14,292/year.

Median household income is $49,068/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $340,600 in Olathe.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Olathe — common questions

Is Bellevue or Olathe cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Olathe is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Olathe?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Olathe it's $1,314/month — a difference of $1,191/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Olathe?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $112,232 in Olathe. Median household income is $49,068/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Kansas?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Olathe?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Olathe has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,314/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Olathe details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Bellevue and Olathe

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