City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Davenport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Davenport

Iowa
83
Very Affordable
$212,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$66,200
Median Income

The Verdict

16.9%

Living in Davenport costs 16.9% less than Bethlehem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $64,175 in Davenport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
60
Davenport
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
97
Davenport
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
83
Davenport
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
105
Davenport
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
97
Davenport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $64,175 in Davenport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Davenport equals $87,651 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Davenport

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Davenport's 60, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $212,000. 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 $900/mo in Davenport, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 97 in Davenport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $461/month in Davenport. 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 83 in Davenport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $332 in Davenport. 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 97 in Davenport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $66,200 in Davenport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $79,759 respectively. Davenport 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 $1,545/month in Davenport. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Davenport is 16.9% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,175 in Davenport, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Davenport's is 60 with median homes at $212,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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