City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Hampton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Hampton

Virginia
88
Below Average
$243,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$59,400
Median Income

The Verdict

10.2%

Living in Hampton costs 10.2% less than Bethlehem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $68,041 in Hampton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
102
Hampton
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
94
Hampton
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
102
Hampton
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
93
Hampton
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
106
Hampton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $68,041 in Hampton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $82,670 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Hampton

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $243,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $67,500 respectively. Hampton 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 $1,386/month in Hampton. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hampton is 10.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,041 in Hampton, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Hampton's is 102 with median homes at $243,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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