Bethlehem vs Gulfport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bethlehem
Gulfport
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 16.9%, with Gulfport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to $64,175 in Gulfport.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $64,175 in Gulfport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Gulfport equals $87,651 in Bethlehem.
Living in Bethlehem vs Gulfport
Housing Costs
Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Gulfport's 55, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $185,000. The $73,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,000/mo in Gulfport, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 95 in Gulfport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $451/month in Gulfport. Gulfport 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 99 in Gulfport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $396 in Gulfport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 98 in Gulfport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $48,000 in Gulfport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $57,831 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 $1,120/month in Gulfport. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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