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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,577 per month in Bellevue, WA vs $3,855 in Alameda, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,417 per month in Bellevue, WA vs $5,174 in Alameda, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,257 per month in Bellevue, WA vs $6,492 in Alameda, CA, rent included.

Bellevue, WA is about 7% cheaper than Alameda, CA, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Bellevue, WA and Alameda, CA sit above the global median – Bellevue, WA by 167%, Alameda, CA by 188%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.68 $22.68

$19.80 $19.80

14.55%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$119 $119

$84.0 $84.0

42.20%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.30 $13.30

$15.18 $15.18

-12.38%

Cappuccino

$5.61 $5.61

$5.07 $5.07

10.65%

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

$2.89 $2.89

$3.30 $3.30

-12.42%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.98 $1.98

20.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.85 $7.85

$7.46 $7.46

5.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.86 $7.86

$8.04 $8.04

-2.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.45 $1.45

-24.83%

White Bread (500g)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.08 $5.08

-14.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$6.44 $6.44

-56.83%

Eggs

$6.47 $6.47

$4.73 $4.73

36.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.05 $15.05

$13.17 $13.17

14.27%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.67 $15.67

$15.26 $15.26

2.69%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.17 $15.17

$17.95 $17.95

-15.49%

Apples (1kg)

$5.54 $5.54

$5.81 $5.81

-4.65%

Banana (1kg)

$2.21 $2.21

$2.49 $2.49

-11.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.87 $4.87

$4.33 $4.33

12.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.71 $3.71

$6.41 $6.41

-42.12%

Potato (1kg)

$2.38 $2.38

$3.86 $3.86

-38.34%

Onion (1kg)

$3.86 $3.86

$3.23 $3.23

19.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.40 $1.40

82.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.65 $2.65

$2.86 $2.86

-7.34%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.22 $13.22

$11.78 $11.78

12.22%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$15.42 $15.42

-0.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.71 $1.71

22.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.25 $4.25

$3.19 $3.19

33.23%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.68 $2.68

$3.41 $3.41

-21.41%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$105 $105

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 $2.67

$4.09 $4.09

-34.72%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.85 $1.85

-10.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.15 $30.15

$14.73 $14.73

104.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 $1.15

$1.29 $1.29

-10.85%

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

$33.6K $33.6K

$30.4K $30.4K

10.53%

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$27.0K $27.0K

-5.07%

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

$182 $182

$223 $223

-18.54%

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

$52.8 $52.8

$54.5 $54.5

-3.16%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.1 $73.1

$67.6 $67.6

8.06%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.4 $78.4

$201 $201

-61.01%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.93 $39.93

Cinema Ticket

$18.05 $18.05

$14.73 $14.73

22.54%

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

$2,119 $2,119

$1,592 $1,592

33.14%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.9K $29.9K

$38.7K $38.7K

-22.81%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.1 $61.1

$47.83 $47.83

27.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.87 $36.87

$35.02 $35.02

5.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.0 $99.0

$71.1 $71.1

39.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$135 $135

-16.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,907 $2,907

$2,421 $2,421

20.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,078 $2,078

$2,213 $2,213

-6.06%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,484 $4,484

$4,572 $4,572

-1.91%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,649 $3,649

$3,198 $3,198

14.10%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,748 $4,748

$7,049 $7,049

-32.64%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,713 $4,713

$4,929 $4,929

-4.39%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,697 $8,697

$6,559 $6,559

32.60%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.48

2.01%

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

Last update for Bellevue, WA: June 2, 2026

Last update for Alameda, CA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,907 in Bellevue, WA versus $2,421 in Alameda, CA. 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 33% 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 $119 in Bellevue, WA versus $84.0 in Alameda, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $446 in Bellevue, WA vs $477 in Alameda, CA – 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,577 in Bellevue, WA, $3,855 in Alameda, CA – roughly 8% apart. Alameda, CA costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,366 per month in Bellevue, WA and $5,783 in Alameda, CA. 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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,577 in Bellevue, WA and $3,855 in Alameda, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,119 per month in Bellevue, WA and $1,592 in Alameda, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,577 in Bellevue, WA and $3,855 in Alameda, CA. 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 $3,577 in Bellevue, WA to $3,855 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.