Welcome to Bellevue
I grew up in Bellevue and went to high school here at Bellevue Christian School. It's the city I know best, and it's genuinely one of the most remarkable places to live in the entire country. Bellevue has evolved from a suburban bedroom community into a genuine city in its own right, with world-class employers, an outstanding restaurant scene, exceptional schools, and home appreciation that consistently outpaces the region.
Downtown Bellevue has transformed dramatically over the past decade. The Bellevue Collection, anchored by Bellevue Square, is a destination in its own right, with luxury retail, incredible restaurants, and walkable streets that feel polished and intentional. Some of my personal favorites: T'Latte for great coffee, and the wider selection of restaurants and cafes throughout the Old Bellevue and Main Street corridor. The combination of big city amenities and a cleaner, more spacious feel than Seattle makes Bellevue uniquely compelling.
I also spent a good chunk of my childhood living in Clyde Hill, one of the premier neighborhoods on the Eastside, which gave me an early appreciation for just how special this corner of the world really is.
Home Appreciation, The Numbers
This is where the Eastside really stands out. Eastside residential homes have seen the median closed sales price increase 64.82% over the past 5 years (from $976,800 to $1,610,000) and 115.68% over the last 10 years. For Bellevue specifically, certain areas show an average closer to 65% for 5 years and 135% for 10 years.
+64.82%
5-year residential appreciation. 10-year: +115.68%. Condos: +53.54% in 5 years, +115.47% in 10 years.
+35%
5-year residential appreciation. 10-year: +62%. Condos: +29% in 5 years, +37% in 10 years.
The takeaway: Bellevue's appreciation is roughly double Seattle's across nearly every timeframe and property type. An important caveat, always look at the specific neighborhood before buying if appreciation is your primary goal. These are city-wide averages and there is significant variation within each market.
* Figures accurate at the time of filming, May 2025. Contact Bella for current market data.
Schools, Bellevue's Strongest Card
Bellevue School District is the top-rated school district in Washington State, home to several nationally recognized high schools including International School, Interlake, Newport, and Sammamish. Niche gives the district an overall grade of A+, the highest possible.
Bellevue SD has 3 of the top 5 high schools in the state and 2 of the top 5 middle schools. Seattle has 1 of the top 5 middle schools and 2 of the top 5 elementary schools. Both districts are strong, but Bellevue is the clear leader at the high school level.
And even if you don't have kids: living in a top school district makes your home significantly easier to sell and typically for more. It affects everyone's investment.
Safety, How They Compare
Bellevue is considerably safer than Seattle, though it has seen an uptick in crime as it has grown. On a BestPlaces scale of 1–100, Bellevue's violent crime score is 9.6 versus Seattle's 32.2. For property crime: Bellevue 45.6 vs Seattle 76.9. Seattle sees about 683 violent crimes per 100,000 residents while Bellevue sees about 80 per 100,000.
Jobs & Economy
Both cities are job powerhouses. Seattle has 290,000 tech workers, the most in the US outside the Bay Area, and ranks 2nd nationwide for AI job postings. Bellevue hosts Amazon, Microsoft, T-Mobile, and major gaming and biotech firms. Downtown Bellevue's office vacancy rate is just 16% vs Seattle's ~30%, suggesting significantly stronger local office demand. Bellevue ranks 2nd among US cities for median earnings at $132,500, while Seattle sits at around $100,955 for full-time workers.
Atmosphere & Lifestyle
This is where personal preference matters most. Seattle has more nightlife, better walkability, more diverse neighborhoods, a stronger arts scene, and more variety in restaurants and cultural experiences. It also has more older architecture and homes, if that aesthetic speaks to you, Seattle may be the better fit.
Bellevue is more polished, upscale, and suburban overall, cleaner, newer, more relaxed, with rapidly growing dining and entertainment. Downtown Bellevue has solid walkability, though it diminishes quickly in the more residential neighborhoods. Bellevue is just across the 520 from Seattle, so unless you're going out every other night, the other factors are likely to matter more in your day-to-day quality of life.
Bellevue Neighborhoods
Bellevue spans a wide range of neighborhoods, each with its own character and price point. Here's a breakdown of the most sought-after areas: