Olathe vs Bellevue: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Olathe, Kansas compare to Bellevue, Washington? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Olathe is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 72% lower in Olathe compared to Bellevue, while rent is 49% lower. WA has no state income tax.
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Bellevue, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $317,900 | $1,139,500 | -72.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,229 | $2,422 | -49.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $108,077 | $149,551 | -27.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,299 | $85,845 | -46.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.7% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 9.3% | -6.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 142,114 | 150,606 | -5.6% |
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 — Olathe
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 — 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.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Olathe costs $317,900 compared to $1,139,500 in Bellevue — a 72% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,229/mo in Olathe vs $2,422/mo in Bellevue.
- Income: Median household income is $108,077 in Olathe and $149,551 in Bellevue.
- Taxes: Washington has no state income tax, while Kansas has a 5.7% 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).