Bethlehem vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bethlehem
Kent
The Verdict
Bethlehem is 29.2% less expensive than Kent overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bethlehem would need approximately $105,928 in Kent to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $105,928 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $53,102 in Bethlehem.
Living in Bethlehem vs Kent
Housing Costs
Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $595,000. The $337,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $518/month in Kent. 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 Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 122 in Kent. 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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $71,752 respectively. Kent 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases