A typical, middle-class starter home in Bellevue costs approximately $1.3 million these days. After a 20% down payment, you're looking at a roughly $7800/mo mortgage payment. Rent is half, at $4.5k. Homes double in price every ten years here, so you might wonder—how can anyone afford a home in BRK? The truth is, home prices aren't set by the average working person. They're set by wealthy families who buy up desirable property for their children. Rents plateau, prices grow. Just look at Asia.