Bellevue, WA, known as 'The City in a Park,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in King County, Bellevue is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Seattle (10 miles) and Redmond (6 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Bellevue's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Bellevue is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Bellevue Botanical Garden, the historic Bellevue Arts Museum, and the scenic Mercer Slough Nature Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Meydenbauer Bay Park to the bustling Bellevue Square, known for its shopping and dining. Bellevue's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Pacific Northwest cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Bellevue Arts Fair and the Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Bellevue's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Bellevue College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Bellevue is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Tateuchi Center and the Bellevue Youth Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Bellevue provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Bellevue’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and the Seattle Mariners (MLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Bellevue include technology, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Microsoft and Overlake Medical Center driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Schools
High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Bellevue is a mid-sized city located in the state of Washington. The city has a population of 151,975 people. With a population density of 4,542 people per square mile, Bellevue is well above the nation's average density level. Individuals of White (52%) and Asian (38%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of Bellevue. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Bellevue is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Bellevue could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Washington if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Bellevue, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, health & safety, education, employment and more.
Bellevue has a livability score of 87 out of 100 and is ranked #13 in Washington and #269 in the USA. Clearly, Bellevue is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Bellevue has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Bellevue ranks very well for education (A+) and housing (B). On a less positive note, Bellevue does not have favorable scores for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
If you're considering living in Bellevue, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Bellevue provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Bellevue Square, Aaron's Photo Tours - Private Day Tours, and The Shops at the Bravern.
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Bellevue has a violent crime rate of 139 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Bellevue has an unemployment rate of 2.5% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Bellevue have an average test score of 72%, which is well above the US average.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Bellevue excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Bellevue is real estate affordability. The median home price for Bellevue homes is $1,588,571, which is 223% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bellevue, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 8.3, which is 53.7% higher than the Washington average.
| Statistic | Bellevue | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 57.6% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.1% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 10.8% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.6% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.2% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 14.5% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
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