City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

The Verdict

8.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.5%, with Bethlehem being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to $81,959 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
109
Overland Park
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
96
Overland Park
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
98
Overland Park
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $81,959 in Overland Park.

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $68,632 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $414,000. The $156,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,140 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $456/month in Overland Park. 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 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $392 in Overland Park. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 102 in Overland Park. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $98,868 respectively. Overland Park 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 $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 8.5% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,959 in Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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