Renton vs. Bellevue: Is the Eastside Premium Worth It?

Renton vs. Bellevue Home Prices: Single-Family Homes

I keep houses and condos apart when I compare two cities. Mixing them hides the real gap. I also use the 12-month median, because one month can swing a lot. Here is where single-family homes stand.

Source: NWMLS monthly data through October 2026.

The gap is about $1,066,550 at the median. That is the Eastside premium in one number. Per square foot, Bellevue runs about $712 and Renton about $418. So the same budget buys a lot more house in Renton.

Bellevue held its price better over the year. Renton’s 12-month median slipped 5.5%. Bellevue’s was about flat.

Condos Are a Smaller Gap

Condos tell a different story.

Condo samples are small: 13 Renton condo sales and 28 Bellevue condo sales closed in October.

A Bellevue condo costs a bit under twice a Renton condo. That is a smaller jump than with houses. If Bellevue is the goal and a house is out of reach, a condo there can be a real option. Bellevue condo supply is high at 7.7 months, so condo buyers there have choices.

Which City Sells Faster?

They are close right now. The median Renton house that sold in October took 25 days. In Bellevue it took 23. A year ago, Bellevue houses sold in a median of just 8 days, so the change there has been big.

The bigger difference is in price cuts. Bellevue sellers got about 93% of their original asking price, the lowest of the seven cities I track. In Renton it was about 95%. Renton buyers were busier too. Pending sales in Renton were up 18% from last October. In Bellevue they were down 19%.

What the Monthly Payment Gap Looks Like

I ran the numbers at 7.17%, the 30-year fixed rate on November 5, per Mortgage News Daily. With 20% down, the 12-month median house comes to about $4,188 a month in Renton and $9,962 a month in Bellevue. That is about $5,774 apart each month, before taxes and insurance.

For condos, it is about $1,949 a month in Renton and $3,807 in Bellevue, before association dues. Dues can change the math a lot, so ask for them early.

What the Eastside Premium Buys, and What It Does Not

Here is what I hear from buyers who pay the premium. They want a short trip to an Eastside job. They want Bellevue’s downtown, its shopping, and the 2 Line light rail across Lake Washington. For some, those things are worth the money.

Here is what the premium does not buy. It does not buy a bigger house. At these numbers, a Renton budget gets you much more space. It also does not mean prices only go up. Bellevue houses are taking longer to sell, and sellers are cutting more.

Renton sits on I-405 just south of Bellevue. On a good day, a lot of Eastside jobs are a short drive. At rush hour, they are not. My guide to the South King County to Eastside commute shows what the drive and the train really look like.

Who Should Choose Renton, and Who Should Choose Bellevue

Pick Renton if you want more house for your money and can live with a longer commute some days. Renton has more buyer activity right now, and prices are softer than a year ago. My Living in Renton guide walks through the neighborhoods. If you are torn between the South King County options, see my Kent vs. Renton comparison.

Pick Bellevue if a short commute to an Eastside job matters most and the budget works. A condo can be a way in. Bellevue sellers are giving more ground than a year ago, so do not be shy about negotiating. My Living in Bellevue guide and Bellevue vs. Issaquah cover more of the Eastside.

Already own a home? My Renton move-up guide and Bellevue move-up guide show how equity fits in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Renton cheaper than Bellevue?

Yes, by a lot. Over the 12 months through October 2026, the single-family median was $773,450 in Renton and $1,840,000 in Bellevue. Condos were $360,000 in Renton and $703,250 in Bellevue.

How much more does a Bellevue home cost than a Renton home?

For a house, about $1.07 million more at the 12-month median. That works out to about $5,774 more a month in principal and interest at 7.17% with 20% down.

Which city sells faster, Renton or Bellevue?

They are close. In October, the median house sold in 25 days in Renton and 23 days in Bellevue. Bellevue sellers took bigger cuts, getting about 93% of their original asking price.

Are condos closer in price than houses?

Yes. A Bellevue condo costs a bit under twice a Renton condo, while a Bellevue house costs more than twice a Renton house. Condo samples are small, so check recent sales for the building you like.

Market data from NWMLS, monthly data through October 2026 (12-month medians, homes for sale, months of supply, days on market, price per square foot). Rate from Mortgage News Daily, 30-year fixed, 7.17% on November 5, 2026. Payments are principal and interest only, with 20% down.