Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Waterbury, CT (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Waterbury

Connecticut
76

Bellevue is 229% more expensive than Waterbury.

$2,505/mo ↑ 112%
Median Rent
$1,180/mo ↓ 53%
$161,300/yr ↑ 212%
Median Income
$51,642/yr ↓ 68%
$1,203,100 ↑ 549%
Home Value
$185,400 ↓ 85%
$2,586/mo ↑ 103%
Owner Costs
$1,273/mo ↓ 51%
151,199
Population
114,356

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.99%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.92%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Waterbury, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,325/month cheaper in Waterbury, saving renters about $15,900/year.

Median household income is $109,658/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $185,400 in Waterbury.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over Connecticut's 6.99% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Waterbury — common questions

Is Bellevue or Waterbury cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waterbury is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Waterbury?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Waterbury it's $1,180/month — a difference of $1,325/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Waterbury?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $51,642 in Waterbury. Median household income is $109,658/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Connecticut?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Waterbury?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Waterbury has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Waterbury details →

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