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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.5K/month moving to Lakewood, WA

$150.0K in your current city equals $119.6K in Lakewood, WA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area
Overall Cost
โ†“ 33.8%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$2,535
Savings
Annual Impact
$30.4K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Bellevue, WA

Population:152K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$1.46M

Lakewood, WA

Population:62K
Cost Index:
66
(34% below avg)
Median Home:$560K

Bellevue, WA

The Evergreen State

152K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 152K residents.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

Lakewood, WA

The Evergreen State

62K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 62K residents.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bellevue, WA vs Lakewood, WA

Housing
โ†“ 54.5%
Bellevue, WA
$6,547
Lakewood, WA
$2,980
Difference
$3,567
less
Other
โ†“ 16.3%
Bellevue, WA
$1,907
Lakewood, WA
$1,596
Difference
$311
less
Transportation
โ†‘ 0.8%
Bellevue, WA
$1,833
Lakewood, WA
$1,847
Difference
$13.99
more
Groceries
โ†‘ 0.4%
Bellevue, WA
$1,060
Lakewood, WA
$1,064
Difference
$4.04
more
Healthcare
โ†‘ 0.4%
Bellevue, WA
$810
Lakewood, WA
$813
Difference
$3.08
more
All Utilities
โ†‘ 0.4%
Bellevue, WA
$472
Lakewood, WA
$474
Difference
$1.80
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$2,105
To$1,033
โ†“ $1,072
1 Bed
From$2,178
To$1,199
โ†“ $979
2 Bed
From$2,539
To$1,530
โ†“ $1,009
3 Bed
From$3,319
To$2,150
โ†“ $1,169
Bellevue, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510โ€“$3,050/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$12,629
Monthly in Bellevue, WA
$8,774
Monthly in Lakewood, WA
$3,855
Difference

Home Values

Bellevue
Lakewood
$1.46M
Median Value
-
โ†“ -2%
YoY Change
-
โ†‘ +42.9%
5-Year Change
-
$1.01M - $1.63M
Price Range
-

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†’ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Bellevue, WA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Washington State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Lakewood, WA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Washington State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Bellevue, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%
Property Tax:0.9%

Lakewood, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%
Property Tax:0.9%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Bellevue
Lakewood
41 Good
Air Quality
44 Good
69.7%
Good Air Days
72.4%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
99 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐Ÿซจ
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐Ÿซจ
โ–ฒ+2.6ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.4ยฐF
2 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
1 days
โ–ฒ+2.6ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.4ยฐF
2 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
1 days

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