Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Bellevue, WA (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Bellevue

Washington
250

Houston is 65% cheaper than Bellevue.

$1,313/mo ↓ 48%
Median Rent
$2,505/mo ↑ 91%
$62,894/yr ↓ 61%
Median Income
$161,300/yr ↑ 156%
$253,400 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$1,203,100 ↑ 375%
$1,316/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$2,586/mo ↑ 97%
2,300,419
Population
151,199

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Bellevue, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 250 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,192/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $14,304/year.

Median household income is $98,406/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,203,100 in Bellevue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Bellevue — common questions

Is Houston or Bellevue cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Bellevue?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Bellevue it's $2,505/month — a difference of $1,192/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Bellevue?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $161,300 in Bellevue. Median household income is $98,406/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Washington?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Bellevue?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with rent of $2,505/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Bellevue details →

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