City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Denton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

The Verdict

10.2%

Living in Bethlehem costs 10.2% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $83,505 in Denton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
126
Denton
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
98
Denton
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
90
Denton
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
87
Denton
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
81
Denton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $83,505 in Denton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Denton equals $67,361 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Denton

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Denton's 126, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $385,000. The $127,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,256 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,425/mo in Denton, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 98 in Denton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $466/month in Denton. 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 90 in Denton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $360 in Denton. 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 81 in Denton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,600 in Bethlehem and $73,700 in Denton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $68,241 respectively. Denton 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 $1,720/month in Denton. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 10.2% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,505 in Denton, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Denton's is 126 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases