City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Frisco

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Frisco

Texas
115
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$126,048
Median Income

The Verdict

15.7%

Living in Bethlehem costs 15.7% less than Frisco. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $88,918 in Frisco.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
142
Frisco
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
99
Frisco
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
99
Frisco
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
106
Frisco
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
100
Frisco

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $88,918 in Frisco.

Conversely, $75,000 in Frisco equals $63,261 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Frisco

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Frisco's 142, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $500,000. The $242,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,732 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,900/mo in Frisco, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 99 in Frisco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $470/month in Frisco. 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 Frisco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $396 in Frisco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 100 in Frisco. 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 $126,048 in Frisco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $109,607 respectively. Frisco 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 $2,941/month in Frisco. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Frisco, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 15.7% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,918 in Frisco, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Frisco's is 142 with median homes at $500,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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