City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

The Verdict

34.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 34.0%, with Bethlehem being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to $113,660 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
210
Concord
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
112
Concord
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
147
Concord
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
137
Concord
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
121
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $113,660 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $49,490 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Concord

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Concord's 210, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $680,000. The $422,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $2,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $1,100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 112 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $532/month in Concord. Bethlehem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 147 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $588 in Concord. 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 121 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-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 $109,000 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $74,150 respectively. Concord 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 $2,543/month in Concord. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 34.0% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $113,660 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Concord's is 210 with median homes at $680,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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