City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Colorado Springs

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

The Verdict

7.6%

Living in Bethlehem costs 7.6% less than Colorado Springs. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $81,186 in Colorado Springs.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
115
Colorado Springs
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
100
Colorado Springs
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
93
Colorado Springs
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
101
Colorado Springs
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
104
Colorado Springs

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $81,186 in Colorado Springs.

Conversely, $75,000 in Colorado Springs equals $69,286 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Colorado Springs

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Colorado Springs's 115, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $380,000. The $122,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,932 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 100 in Colorado Springs. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $475/month in Colorado Springs. 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 93 in Colorado Springs. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $372 in Colorado Springs. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 104 in Colorado Springs. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $64,712 in Colorado Springs. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $61,630 respectively. Bethlehem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Bethlehem vs $1,510/month in Colorado Springs. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 7.6% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,186 in Colorado Springs, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Colorado Springs's is 115 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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