Living in Bellevue, WA: Everything You Need to Know

Bellevue stands out amongst the crowd of Seattle’s satellite cities. It offers upscale homes, a highly sought-after school district, a vibrant downtown and an outdoorsy atmosphere. Originally settled as a lake community for Seattleites to vacation, Bellevue quickly grew into its own. Major corporations like Microsoft and Amazon settled in Bellevue, bringing plenty of job opportunities and making the city a popular destination for homebuyers. 

Considering a Move to Bellevue? Here’s What You Need to Know

Bellevue’s unique location offers ample outdoor recreation opportunities. If you’re seeking an active lifestyle, you’ll notice residents like to get outside here, often walking, jogging, biking or boating. Bellevue offers a bustling downtown with community events and abundant dining, retail and entertainment. There are 10 public high schools, which all earn top Niche ratings. Bellevue also features an excellent public transportation system, including Sound Transit’s East Link Extension light rail line.  

You will find plenty of homebuying options in 17 different neighborhoods. Depending on the area of Bellevue you decide to move to, you may find lakeside estates, contemporary mansions, established suburban homes and upscale condos. Homes here are on the more expensive side, with the median sale price at $1.5 million. However, there are options to fit different budgets and lifestyles.

Pros and Cons of Living in Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue offers a vibrant job market and exciting entertainment options, both indoors and outdoors. However, that doesn’t mean that the city isn’t without a few drawbacks. If you’re trying to decide if Bellevue would be a great place to live, these key factors will help you decide if it is the right fit.

Pros of Living in Bellevue, WA

• Job opportunities: Bellevue is close to some of Eastside’s largest employers, including Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Nintendo and T-Mobile. These top employers offer desirable job opportunities, resulting in a median household income of $180,450. 
• Low crime rates: Among Bellevue’s 17 neighborhoods, 16 earn a Crime Score that is at or below the national average of 4/10, according to CAP Index. 
• Great public schools: Bellevue has a lot to offer if you have a family or plan to start one. Among Bellevue’s 48 public schools, 40 receive a Niche Grade of A or better. 
• Outdoor recreation: Lake Washington borders Bellevue to the west, and Lake Sammamish borders Bellevue to the east. During the warmer months, it’s common to see residents boating, kayaking and swimming at either lake. The area is also home to over 100 parks and trail systems. The Cascades are an easy drive east on I-90, offering hiking, camping and skiing. 
• Convenient public transportation: This city offers an excellent public transportation system. Sound Transit operates the East Link Light Rail and the recently opened Link 2 Line light rail, connecting residents throughout the Eastside and various areas around Seattle. King County Metro also operates multiple bus routes centered at the Bellevue Transit Center. 

Cons of Living in Bellevue, WA

• High cost of living: Bellevue is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. The cost of living is 66% higher when compared with the rest of the country. The median price of a home is $1.5 million, compared with Seattle’s $835,000 and Tacoma’s $465,000. 
• Tourism is on the rise: There are certainly more popular tourist destinations in the U.S., but an increasing number of people are traveling to the Seattle area, year over year. Visit Seattle notes that Seattle and King County saw 37.8 million visitors in 2023, which is a 9% increase when compared with the previous year. 
• Rainy weather: You’ve likely heard of Seattle’s notorious rain, which is also a challenging factor for some in Bellevue. The city receives about 54 inches of rain annually, compared with the national average of 30 inches. However, those cloudy days make way for warm, sunny weather from July to September. 

What’s It Like to Live in Bellevue?

Bellevue offers a high quality of life, with the amenities of a larger city and the comfort of a suburb. Nightlife lovers can hit up Bake’s Place for live music and drinks, while outdoor enthusiasts can spend a Saturday hiking the trails at Cougar Mountain Park. Foodies can get fresh local produce for dinner at Bellevue Farmers Market, and anglers can cast a line on Meydenbauer Bay. 

What’s the Median Age in Bellevue, WA?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median age in Bellevue, Washington, is 38.3 years old.

A City on the Rise: Bellevue’s Economy and Culture

Bellevue is a thriving city with a booming economy. Four industry sectors drive the area’s economy: Business Services, Retail, Tourism and Information Technology. The city is tech-heavy, but other industry clusters help round out the financial market, making it an opportunity-laden town.  

Your Perfect Bellevue Neighborhood

There are 17 different neighborhoods in Bellevue. We’ve listed some of the most popular areas here to familiarize you with what Bellevue has to offer. 

• Downtown Bellevue puts you right at the center of the city’s action. This walkable urban hub is excellent for those who want city life without the intensity of Seattle. It’s close to retail areas, outdoor spaces and many places to get out and network. Luxury condos with sprawling views are the primary offering here, perfect for those who prefer city living. 
• Bridle Trails offers luxury contemporary homes and a scenic state park. As the name suggests, the neighborhood’s stables and equestrian centers are significant perks for horse owners. The community is less than 5 miles from downtown, making accessing the area’s amenities easy.
• Eastgate is a few minutes from both Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. If you’re seeking water access, home prices in Eastgate tend to be a bit lower than they are in surrounding areas. It’s a traditional community with condos and established midcentury homes offering renovation opportunities.
• Woodridge is a family-friendly area known for traditional events like trick-or-treating, community picnics and summer carnivals. Midcentury homes and sprawling ramblers are the primary buying options here.

Life by Lake Washington: Bellevue’s Waterfront Living

Living on Lake Washington or Lake Sammamish is a major perk of living in Bellevue. There are opulent waterfront estates with private docks where residents can moor their boats, take a dip or go fishing. Homes on Lake Sammamish typically range between $1 million and $5 million, while homes on Lake Washington range between $4 million and $25 million.

Cost of Living in Bellevue: Housing Costs, Taxes and More

Bellevue has a cost of living that is 66% higher than the national average, according to Payscale. Housing expenses are 158% more than the national average, and transportation costs are 23% higher. Washington has no personal income tax, but relatively high sales and property taxes contribute to its living costs.

Median Household Income in Bellevue, WA

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Bellevue, Washington, is $153,779.

Is Bellevue Affordable? Exploring Housing Options

Homes in Bellevue are more expensive than other areas on the Eastside. A condo in Downtown Bellevue will typically cost between $800,000 and $1 million, while a condo in Eastgate may cost between $500,000 and $900,000. A renovated midcentury home in Northeast Bellevue or Woodridge will usually cost between $1.2 million and $3 million. For an estate in Northwest Bellevue, expect to spend anywhere between $2 million and $25 million, depending on the home’s size and proximity to the waterfront. 

Things to Do in Bellevue

Bellevue offers plenty of ways to stay entertained. In the bustling downtown areas, there are numerous restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces like TopGolf. The area also has several shopping centers, including Bellevue Square, The Shops at Bravern and Factoria Square Mall. 

Family Fun: Parks, Museums and Entertainment

If you have a family you will find abundant activities for anyone to enjoy. The KidsQuest Children’s Museum offers an assortment of interactive exhibits, workshops and camps. Bellevue Art Museum is a favorite for creatives, offering regional and national art exhibits. Bellevue Botanical Garden has holiday lights, miles of trails and music performances. During the summer, Bellevue Downtown Park is another go-to, with its live music, movie screenings and a seasonal farmers market. 

Outdoor Adventure: Hiking, Biking and Nature

Bellevue has over 100 parks and trails, including Wilburton Hill Park. Miles of trails meander through this wooded park, offering hiking and biking near home. There are also athletic fields and a playground. Bridle Trails State Park is popular with equestrians. There are nearly 500 acres of evergreen forests with horse show grounds, stables and horseback riding trails. When residents want to get out on the water, Meydenbauer Bay Park and Chism Beach Park are just a few in the area offering a beach on Lake Washington. 

Foodie Paradise: Bellevue’s Diverse Culinary Scene

The city offers a diverse selection of restaurants with options to fit nearly any palette. You can choose from upscale bistros like Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar, beloved chains like Din Tai Fung, casual locally owned spots like Ginza Japanese and homestyle favorites like Chace’s Pancake Corral. 

Bellevue Schools and Education

One of the biggest perks of living in Bellevue is access to some of Washington’s best public schools. According to Niche, the Bellevue School District is ranked first in the state. This A-plus-rated district serves nearly 20,000 students. There are also many application-based schools available for those seeking private options. Many students in Bellevue go on to attend some of the state’s best colleges, like the University of Washington. 

Top-Rated Schools: Education Options in Bellevue

• Bellevue High School: One of the city’s most well-known schools is Bellevue High School. Given an overall A+ grade by Niche, this school has a 93% graduation rate and a 92% reading proficiency rate. 
• Bellevue Montessori School: The accredited Bellevue Montessori School is application-based and serves students aged 18 months to 12 years. The program is notable for offering individualized instruction to its students. 

Lifelong Learning: Higher Education in Bellevue

• Bellevue College: Located in the city, Bellevue College is an open-admission institution with nearly 100 educational fields available. It also partners with local high schools to offer college credits for students in grades nine through 12. 
• Cascadia College: This community college located nearby in Bothell offers a variety of academic programs, including Continuing Education and High School Completion programs. 
• University of Washington: Just across Lake Washington in Seattle, this internationally recognized public university is ranked Washington State’s Best College by Niche.