City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Fort Worth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

The Verdict

2.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.1%, with Fort Worth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to $73,454 in Fort Worth.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
87
Fort Worth
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
96
Fort Worth
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
99
Fort Worth
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
106
Fort Worth
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
100
Fort Worth

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $73,454 in Fort Worth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Worth equals $76,579 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Fort Worth

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Fort Worth's 87, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $270,000. The $12,000 difference in home prices means roughly $780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,400/mo in Fort Worth, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 96 in Fort Worth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $456/month in Fort Worth. 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 99 in Fort Worth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $396 in Fort Worth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 100 in Fort Worth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $62,187 in Fort Worth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $65,460 respectively. Fort Worth 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 $1,451/month in Fort Worth. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth is 2.1% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,454 in Fort Worth, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Fort Worth's is 87 with median homes at $270,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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