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

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Bellevue is 14% more expensive than Pasadena.

$2,505/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↓ 11%
$161,300/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↓ 36%
$1,203,100 ↑ 15%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↓ 13%
$2,586/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↓ 10%
151,199
Population
136,462

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
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $287/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $3,444/year.

Median household income is $57,522/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Bellevue or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 220 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Pasadena?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $287/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Pasadena?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $57,522/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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Pasadena details →

More Comparisons

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