Bethlehem vs Bismarck
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bethlehem
Bismarck
The Verdict
Bismarck is 2.1% less expensive than Bethlehem overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bethlehem would need approximately $73,454 in Bismarck to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $73,454 in Bismarck.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bismarck equals $76,579 in Bethlehem.
Living in Bethlehem vs Bismarck
Housing Costs
Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Bismarck's 90, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $348,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,100/mo in Bismarck, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 99 in Bismarck. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $470/month in Bismarck. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 82 in Bismarck. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $328 in Bismarck. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 103 in Bismarck. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Bethlehem and $77,600 in Bismarck. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $81,684 respectively. Bismarck residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Bethlehem vs $1,811/month in Bismarck. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Bismarck, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases