Median rent is 22% lower in Bellevue ($1,202/mo vs $1,538/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bellevue, where the median home runs $230,800 versus $561,400. Households earn more in Bellevue ($87,343 vs $60,641 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (114.0).
City A
Bell, CA
City B
Bellevue, NE
How much would you need to earn in Bellevue, NE to maintain your standard of living from Bell, CA?
Equivalent salary in Bellevue, NE
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bell
California
Bellevue
Nebraska
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Bellevue — median rent of $1,202/mo versus $1,538/mo in Bell, a 22% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Bell: the median home is $561,400 versus $230,800 in Bellevue — 59% more expensive.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 5.84% in Nebraska, so Bellevue is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 5.50% in Nebraska; Bellevue has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bell
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Bellevue
Income tax: 5.84%
Sales tax: 5.50%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Bellevue if you prioritize higher median household income ($87,343/yr).
Pick Bellevue if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,202/mo median).
Pick Bellevue if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.84%).
Is Bell cheaper than Bellevue?
Bell is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 114.0 versus 114.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Bell.
How much is rent in Bell vs Bellevue?
Median rent is $1,538/mo in Bell, CA and $1,202/mo in Bellevue, NE. Bellevue, NE has the lower rent by about 22%.
Which has higher salaries — Bell or Bellevue?
Median household income is $60,641 in Bell, CA and $87,343 in Bellevue, NE. Bellevue, NE has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bell or Bellevue?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and Nebraska's is 5.84%. Bellevue, NE has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Bellevue to match my Bell income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bell, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Bellevue, NE (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology