Bellevue: Cost of Living Question (Seattle, Renton: apartment, to rent, homes)

[HBelt]

I'm relocating to Bellevue in the next 5 weeks and I'm trying to get a feel for the real cost of life. Can anyone tell me what utilities, food, and gasoline really cost in the area?

[jenlion]

Gas is around 3.75 a gallon right now.

Food is more expensive than much of the country. I'd estimate 15% more than what we payed in Dallas, maybe 20%, depends on where you're coming from really. Milk, for example, is 2gal for $5 at safeway right now, but I've seen it as high as $4/gallon. Spaghetti sauce (ragu/prego) is anywhere from $1.70 to $3.50. Basic loaf of bread, $1.80 to $2.80. Eating out is more expensive here than much of the country, we find that for casual lunch for two, no drinks, we pay around $25.

Utilities will depend on the size of house. For 2100sqft our current gas/electric is around $120-$180 month. We haven't passed a whole winter here yet though so that could go up in winter for heat. Water is around $60/mo, I think. Trash is... $30/mo.. I think.

70Ford has posted a couple of times his actual costs for things, he may re-post here or you could search for his results.

If you can afford the housing in Bellevue without a major stretch, I'm guessing you can afford the rest. If the housing has you going "yooooowwww", then you want to be very careful.

[70Ford]

entry level income?

Scroll down a bit...and you'll see it.

BTW.. Cable has jumped to 107. Didn't even send a notice explaining why. I hate that my apartment has some deal with Broadstripe....and that's all we can get. Broadstripe sucks.

[allforcats]

The price of gas in Bellevue -- GAS BUDDY:
Bellevue Gas Prices - Find the Lowest Gas Prices in Bellevue, Washington

Changes at random times daily. In the left column, you can input other cities and find out what the prices are there (Renton, Seattle, Redmond, etc.).

LUNCH: I've never paid more than $6-7 for lunch, usually less. One person, nutritious food.

[HBelt]

Originally Posted by jenlion

If you can afford the housing in Bellevue without a major stretch, I'm guessing you can afford the rest. If the housing has you going "yooooowwww", then you want to be very careful.

Thanks. The prices for homes in the area really do scare me. That's the truth but I'm going to rent for a couple of years in an outlying city. (much more affordable) I'm really trying to get a feeling for the financial temperature of the area from people who live there. Using the cost of living calculators on-line, you really wonder if the researcher did his/her job properly. It's better to get information from people who are in the neighborhood. Thank you very much.

[HBelt]

allforcats: Thank you. I've got that link bookmarked on my computer.

[HBelt]

70Ford: You sound like a real charmer. I read your post in "entry level income"; very witty. Using your formula; I'm going to need $2300 to survive in town. I guess I really have to impress the boss with my work ethic, etc. and work on that promotion/raise. Thank you.

[MichaelinWA]

Food is more expensive everywhere in the country than just one year ago. Grocery inflation has been a real pain. That said, I'm sure that groceries in the Seattle are more expensive than most other places - that's been true for a while.

According to Quicken, our Puget Sound Energy bills (gas and electric, 2,400 square feet) were $197 in January, $156 in February, $148 in March, $147 in April, $90 in May, $84 in June, $82 in July and $77 in August.

Originally Posted by jenlion

Food is more expensive than much of the country. I'd estimate 15% more than what we payed in Dallas, maybe 20%, depends on where you're coming from really.