Cost of Living Comparison Between Alameda, CA and Bellevue, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Alameda, CA and Bellevue, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,073 per month in Alameda, CA vs $3,694 in Bellevue, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,878 per month in Alameda, CA vs $5,595 in Bellevue, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,682 per month in Alameda, CA vs $7,496 in Bellevue, WA, rent included.

Alameda, CA costs about 10% more than Bellevue, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Alameda, CA and Bellevue, WA sit above the global median – Alameda, CA by 198%, Bellevue, WA by 170%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.76 $24.76

$25.25 $25.25

-1.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.9 $99.9

$100 $100

-0.27%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.25 $15.25

$12.83 $12.83

18.86%

Cappuccino

$5.63 $5.63

$6.05 $6.05

-6.94%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.94 $2.94

$3.06 $3.06

-3.92%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 $2.74

$2.48 $2.48

10.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.87 $8.87

$8.05 $8.05

10.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.93 $9.93

$8.14 $8.14

21.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.12 $1.12

12.50%

White Bread (500g)

$3.76 $3.76

$4.79 $4.79

-21.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.23 $3.23

59.13%

Eggs

$5.14 $5.14

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.03 $11.03

$18.29 $18.29

-39.69%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.80 $15.80

$13.75 $13.75

14.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$23.71 $23.71

$16.52 $16.52

43.52%

Apples (1kg)

$6.36 $6.36

$5.53 $5.53

15.01%

Banana (1kg)

$2.87 $2.87

$1.95 $1.95

47.18%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.60 $4.60

$5.23 $5.23

-12.05%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.98 $6.98

$4.60 $4.60

51.74%

Potato (1kg)

$2.95 $2.95

$2.64 $2.64

11.74%

Onion (1kg)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.23 $3.23

3.72%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.59 $1.59

$2.35 $2.35

-32.34%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.28 $2.28

20.61%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.09 $12.09

$12.40 $12.40

-2.50%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.88 $14.88

$15.25 $15.25

-2.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.46 $2.46

-28.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.64 $3.64

$3.44 $3.44

5.81%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.93 $3.93

$2.73 $2.73

43.96%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$89.0 $89.0

$106 $106

-15.89%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.05 $4.05

$2.61 $2.61

55.17%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.08 $2.08

$1.65 $1.65

26.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.08 $15.08

$30.05 $30.05

-49.82%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.41 $1.41

3.55%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.6K $37.6K

$35.7K $35.7K

5.31%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.7K $25.7K

$25.6K $25.6K

0.37%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$132 $132

$155 $155

-14.90%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$52.6 $52.6

$53.4 $53.4

-1.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.8 $75.8

$88.3 $88.3

-14.10%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$147 $147

$131 $131

11.95%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$31.03 $31.03

$38.71 $38.71

-19.84%

Cinema Ticket

$17.04 $17.04

$18.17 $18.17

-6.22%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,458 $2,458

$1,967 $1,967

24.99%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$20.3K $20.3K

$30.9K $30.9K

-34.27%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.70 $41.70

$60.8 $60.8

-31.40%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.55 $37.55

$53.8 $53.8

-30.23%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.2 $81.2

$100 $100

-18.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$142 $142

$113 $113

25.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,602 $2,602

$2,742 $2,742

-5.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,480 $2,480

$2,070 $2,070

19.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$6,041 $6,041

$5,193 $5,193

16.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,159 $4,159

$3,801 $3,801

9.42%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,022 $7,022

$4,714 $4,714

48.97%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,945 $4,945

$4,669 $4,669

5.91%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,664 $6,664

$8,956 $8,956

-25.59%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.31

6.27

0.64%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Alameda, CA: September 15, 2026

Last update for Bellevue, WA: September 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,602 in Alameda, CA versus $2,742 in Bellevue, WA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 34% higher in Bellevue, WA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Alameda, CA versus $100 in Bellevue, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $478 in Alameda, CA vs $450 in Bellevue, WA – so Bellevue, WA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Alameda, CA vs Bellevue, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $4,073 in Alameda, CA, $3,694 in Bellevue, WA – roughly 10% apart. Alameda, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,110 per month in Alameda, CA and $5,541 in Bellevue, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bellevue, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $2,458 per month in Alameda, CA and $1,967 in Bellevue, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 6% more in Alameda, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,073 in Alameda, CA and $3,694 in Bellevue, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Alameda, CA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,694 in Bellevue, WA to $4,073 in Alameda, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Bellevue, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Alameda, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.