City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Everett

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Everett

Washington
136
Expensive
$575,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$75,400
Median Income

The Verdict

28.7%

Living in Bethlehem costs 28.7% less than Everett. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $105,155 in Everett.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
192
Everett
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
109
Everett
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
92
Everett
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
117
Everett
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
122
Everett

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $105,155 in Everett.

Conversely, $75,000 in Everett equals $53,493 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Everett

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Everett's 192, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $575,000. The $317,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,800/mo in Everett, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 109 in Everett. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $518/month in Everett. Bethlehem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 92 in Everett. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $368 in Everett. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 122 in Everett. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 39-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 $75,400 in Everett. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $55,441 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 $1,759/month in Everett. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Everett, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 28.7% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 136.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $105,155 in Everett, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Everett's is 192 with median homes at $575,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases