Bellevue vs Scottsdale: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Bellevue, Washington compare to Scottsdale, Arizona? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Scottsdale is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 75% higher in Bellevue compared to Scottsdale, while rent is 37% higher. WA has no state income tax.
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Scottsdale, AZ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $1,139,500 | $651,800 | +74.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,422 | $1,768 | +37.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $149,551 | $104,197 | +43.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $85,845 | $77,594 | +10.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 2.5% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.3% | 8.4% | +11.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 150,606 | 240,537 | -37.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Bellevue
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Scottsdale
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Bellevue costs $1,139,500 compared to $651,800 in Scottsdale — a 75% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,422/mo in Bellevue vs $1,768/mo in Scottsdale.
- Income: Median household income is $149,551 in Bellevue and $104,197 in Scottsdale.
- Taxes: Washington has no state income tax, while Arizona has a 2.5% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).