Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Bellevue is 150% more expensive than Wilmington.

$2,505/mo ↑ 91%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 48%
$161,300/yr ↑ 152%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 60%
$1,203,100 ↑ 243%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 71%
$2,586/mo ↑ 89%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 47%
151,199
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,194/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $14,328/year.

Median household income is $97,400/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Bellevue or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Wilmington?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $1,194/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Wilmington?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $97,400/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and North Carolina?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Wilmington details →

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