City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Dublin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

The Verdict

6.7%

Bethlehem is 6.7% less expensive than Dublin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bethlehem would need approximately $80,412 in Dublin to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
128
Dublin
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
95
Dublin
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
110
Dublin
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
108
Dublin
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
82
Dublin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $80,412 in Dublin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $69,952 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Dublin

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $470,000. The $212,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,776 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $451/month in Dublin. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $440 in Dublin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 82 in Dublin. 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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $53,846 respectively. Bethlehem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Bethlehem vs $1,307/month in Dublin. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 6.7% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,412 in Dublin, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Dublin's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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