City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

Pennsylvania
97
Average
$258,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$62,600
Median Income

Clarksville

Tennessee
89
Below Average
$304,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$63,700
Median Income

The Verdict

9.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.0%, with Clarksville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to $68,814 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
110
Bethlehem
91
Clarksville
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
100
Clarksville
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
103
Clarksville
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $68,814 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $81,742 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $304,000. The $46,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $475/month in Clarksville. 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 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $412 in Clarksville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 93 in Clarksville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $71,573 respectively. Clarksville 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 $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 9.0% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,814 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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