Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Bellevue is 124% more expensive than Surprise.

$2,505/mo ↑ 31%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↓ 23%
$161,300/yr ↑ 73%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↓ 42%
$1,203,100 ↑ 204%
Home Value
$396,000 ↓ 67%
$2,586/mo ↑ 63%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↓ 39%
151,199
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.5%
Sales Tax
5.6%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $588/month cheaper in Surprise, saving renters about $7,056/year.

Median household income is $67,929/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Surprise — common questions

Is Bellevue or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Surprise is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Surprise?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $588/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Surprise?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $67,929/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Arizona?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Surprise details →