Bellevue, Washington
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Bellevue.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Bellevue?
Bellevue planning snapshot: population 154,377, housing index 291 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $1,203,100, median rent $2,505, and income near $161,300. Expect 75°F summer highs, 37°F winter lows, and about 27-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 123.2 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 291U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $1,203,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,505U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $161,300U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.9%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 27 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 123.2per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 75°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Bellevue compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 154,377City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $161,300Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year105% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 291ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year191% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $1,203,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year297% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,505City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year86% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.9%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 27 min8% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 427% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 123.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)79% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2838.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)8% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 75°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 37°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 37.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 202As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals25% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Bellevue grew 20.3% from 128,357 in 2010 to 154,377 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Bellevue expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Bellevue's housing cost index is 291 versus 100 nationally — well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($1,203,100 vs $303,400) and rents ($2,505 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 291 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $1,203,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,505 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Bellevue?
Typical ownership costs center near $1,203,100, while median gross rent is about $2,505 a month. Against a median household income of $161,300, rent alone is roughly 19% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $1,203,100
- Median rent $2,505/month
- Median household income $161,300
What is the job market like in Bellevue?
County unemployment recently ran 4.9% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Bellevue is about $161,300 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.9% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $161,300
How long is the typical commute in Bellevue?
Average one-way commute time is about 27 minutes, with Walk Score near 42/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 27 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 42/100
Is Bellevue safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 123.2 per 100k and property about 2838.2 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 123.2 per 100k
- Property 2838.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Bellevue?
Normals show summer highs near 75°F, winter lows near 37°F, about 37.8 inches of rain, and roughly 202 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 75°F
- Winter low 37°F
- 37.8 in rain · 202 sunny days
Gray winters west of the Cascades and dry inland basins split lifestyles. Expect summer highs near 75°F and winter lows around 37°F. Average one-way commute time is about 27 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 42/100. Labor-market readings near 4.9% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates near 123.2 per 100k compare favorably with many peer metros, though local blocks still differ.
Bellevue, Washington counts about 154,377 residents inside the city limits. With median income around $161,300 and a cost index of 291, the market reads well above the national housing-cost baseline. Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $1,203,100 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Bellevue is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Bellevue with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Bellevue city, 1600000US5305210) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · King County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094290 SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10