Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Bellevue, WA?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 4.4% more expensive than Bellevue, WA. This translates to spending an extra $328 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Bellevue, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Bellevue, WA, you'd need approximately $153,939.976 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bellevue, WA and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 18.4% more expensive than in Bellevue, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $2,539/month in Bellevue, WA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bellevue, WA to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $328 more per month than Bellevue, WA, or $3940 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bellevue, WA vs Los Angeles, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Bellevue, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $328/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $153.9K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↑ 4.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$328

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$3.9K

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

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:

104

(4% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Bellevue, WA

The Evergreen State

152K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

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

💡 Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bellevue, WA vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Bellevue, WA	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$6,547/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $1,202more	18.4%
Transportation	$1,833/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $325more	17.8%
Healthcare	$810/mo	$554/mo	↓ $256less	31.6%
Other	$1,907/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $176less	9.2%
All Utilities	$472/mo	$557/mo	↑ $84.92more	18.0%
Groceries	$1,060/mo	$1,040/mo	↓ $20.08less	1.9%

Housing

↑ 18.4%

Bellevue, WA

$6,547

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$1,202

Transportation

↑ 17.8%

Bellevue, WA

$1,833

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$325

Healthcare

↓ 31.6%

Bellevue, WA

$810

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$256

less

Other

↓ 9.2%

Bellevue, WA

$1,907

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$176

less

All Utilities

↑ 18.0%

Bellevue, WA

$472

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$84.92

Groceries

↓ 1.9%

Bellevue, WA

$1,060

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$20.08

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,105

To$1,910

↓ $195

1 Bed

From$2,178

To$2,135

↓ $43.00

2 Bed

From$2,539

To$2,660

↑ $121

3 Bed

From$3,319

To$3,370

↑ $51.00

Bellevue, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,050/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 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

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$1,161

Difference

Home Values

Bellevue

Los Angeles

$1.46M

Median Value

$885K

↓ -2%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +42.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$1.01M - $1.63M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 40% less expensive than Bellevue

Calculate payment - Bellevue Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Bellevue, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Bellevue, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.