City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Ogden

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

9.3%

Bethlehem is 9.3% less expensive than Ogden overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bethlehem would need approximately $82,732 in Ogden to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
112
Ogden
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
92
Ogden
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
80
Ogden
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
101
Ogden
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
91
Ogden

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $82,732 in Ogden.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $67,991 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Ogden

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $385,000. The $127,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,256 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 92 in Ogden. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $437/month in Ogden. Ogden offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $320 in Ogden. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 91 in Ogden. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,600 in Bethlehem and $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $65,514 respectively. Ogden 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 $1,636/month in Ogden. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 9.3% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,732 in Ogden, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Ogden's is 112 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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