City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Killeen

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

15.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.5%, with Killeen being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to $64,948 in Killeen.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
56
Killeen
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
96
Killeen
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
108
Killeen
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
95
Killeen
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
96
Killeen

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $64,948 in Killeen.

Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $86,607 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Killeen

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $235,000. The $23,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $456/month in Killeen. 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 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $432 in Killeen. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 96 in Killeen. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $67,143 respectively. Killeen 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 $1,316/month in Killeen. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen is 15.5% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,948 in Killeen, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Killeen's is 56 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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